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TIBERIUS GRACCHUS 



AN HISTORICAL TRAGEDY 



BY 

HUNTER MacCULLOCH 



Author of ''Prom Dawn to Dusk" and ''Robert Burns: A 
Centenary Ode." 



Rose and Thistle Publishing Co., 

430 Van Buren Street, 

Brooklyn, N. Y. 



. i^'4RY at j^n&nsiss 
OCT 80 mOt» 







'hi 



r 



T&3 



Copyrignt, 1905, by 
Margaret H. MacCulloch. 



All rights reserved. 



To 

My Dear Daughter, 

MARGARET HALL. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 
An Historic ai. Tragedy. 
Persons Represented. 
Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus. 
Caius Lucilius^ the Satirist. 
SciPio PuBUUS Nasica^ Pontifex Maximus. 
Junius Marcei^i^us. 
PoRCiATus^ a Freedman. 
Metrophanes^ Lucilius's Slave. 
Bi^ossius^ Stoic of Cumse. 
FirAVius Flaccus. 
Caius Mummius,, a Tribune. 
Appius C1.AUDIUS, a Senator. 
LiciNius Crassus, a Senator. 
Mucius Sc^voi^A, Consul. 
Marcus Octavius^ a Tribune. 
PuBUUS Satureius, a Tribune. 
Lucius RuFus^ a Tribune. 
PuBUUS RuBRius, a Tribune. 
Titus Annius. 
MiNius PoMPEius, a Senator. 
Pontius Maceidonicus, a Senator. 
Livius Luscus, a Senator. 
QuiNTus Mettexlus, a Senator. 
^UUS StiIvO', a Tribune. 
Papirius Carbo, a Tribune. 
EuDEMus 01^ Pergamum. 

Lucretia, Nasica's daughter. 
C0RNEI.1A, Mother of the Gracchi. 
Virginia^ Nasica's wife. 
Ci<AUDiA, Gracchus's wife. 
LiciNiA^ Gracchus's sister-in-law. 
FuLviA, Flaccus's daughter. 
Lavinia^ Lucretia's maid. 

Senators, Tribunes, Magistrates, Stet., Lictors; Stet., 
Slaves, Egyptians, Syrians, Sardinians, and Jews. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

ACT I. (April, B. C. 133— A. U. C, 620.) 
Scene i. Full; at Temple of Cyhele, on the Palatine 
Hill. At the rise of the curtain, the rites charac- 
teristic of the worship of Cyhele, the mother of the 
gods, are going on; shouting and fantastic dancing 
to flute, cymbal, and tambourine, around the statue 
of the goddess, seated on a throne, with a lion at 
each side, a mural crown on her head, and in her 
hands a key and a cymbal. The zvorshippers sing: 

HYMN TO CYBBLB. 

Hail! all hail! Idsean Mother! 

Mother of all gods that be : 
Great as thou there is none other: 

Hear our cry, O Cybele ! 

Of all good thou art the giver, 

Thou who rulest land and sea: 
From all evil us deliver : 

Hear our cry, O Cybele ! 

Chained all winter was thy treasure ; 

Loose it with thy golden key : 
Fill anew thy bounteous measure : 

Hear our cry, O Cybele ! 

Mother of the gods, oh, hear us I 

All we have we owe to thee : 
Feed us, clothe us, help us, cheer us ! 

Thine we are, O Cybele! 

{At the conclusion of the hymn the worshippers go off, 
various entrances; excepting Porciatus, a freedman, 
5 



6 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

about fifty years old, once a slave of Cato, the censor 
{now dead sixteen years); and Me;trophane;s^ a 
slave of IvUCiiviuSj the satirist, about thirty-five years 
old. Metrophanes stands a little way off, R .of C, 
looking at the statue of Cybele, not noticing Porci- 
ATus^ L. of C, who is regarding him intently.) 

Ml^ROPHANES. 

(Solus.) O Mother God, great Cybele ! 
Thy worshippers have gone from thee ; 
Their business bid them quit thy shrine, 
And leave thee to attend to thine. 

PoRCiATus (approaching Me^trgphanes.) 
And praise to Cybele they sing 
For all the good the day may bring. 
Though not a finger did she raise 
To earn their heartfelt prayer and praise ! 

MirrROPHANE^. 
Were you not one among the rest? 
I think so. 

PORCIATUS. 

You have rightly guessed, 
Since by your side I paid my share — 
Now are we not a prudent pair ? 
It does no harm if she's asleep ; 
And if she wake, from harm she'll keep. 
Since prudently we take no chance. 
But pay for service in advance. 

Metrophanes (glancing first over his shoulder at Cy- 
bele). 
Your prudence is a curious kind, 
It lets you freely speak your mind 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

Before her here. Such thoughts have I, 
But breathe them not aloud. Good-by ! 

{Exit R. 2 E.) 

PoRCiATus (looking after him; solus). 
Another soul assailed by doubt, 
And dursn't for his life speak out ! 
How like myself in days gone by ; 
A timid, fearful thinker I. 
Perhaps 'tis that which drew me to him, 
And made me think somehow I knew him. 
He brought to mind that five-year-old 
I parted with when I was sold 
To skinflint Cato years ago — 
My brother ! — Ah ! what's this ? — 
(Stoops and picks up a MS. roll; examines it.) Hello! 
A satire on the times — that's queer, 
Fm sure Lucilius was not here, 

(Metrophanes re-enters R. 2 B.) 
Lucilius ! How his satire bites ! 
I would not miss a line he writes. 

Metrophanes. (Solus.) 
Oh ! what a careless thing to do ! 

(Runs eagerly to Porciatus.) 
You found it ! Good ! 

Porciatus. 
What's that to you ? 
It is not yours ! 

Metrophanes. 
You're wrong and right; 
Those lines Lucilius did indite ; 
But he's my master, if you please ! 



8 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

PORCIATUS. 

Ah ! then you are 

Metrophanes. 
Metrophanes. 

PORCIATUS. 

(Aside.) My brother I have still to seek — 
And yet he looks not like a Greek ! 
(Aloud.) Why were you worried at your loss? 
For fear Lucilius would be cross ? 

Metrophanes. 
Be cross ? — ah, no ! I had in mind 
A master gentle, good and kind ; 
Whose mild reproof I dread to hear, 
And more than knotted cudgel fear. 

PORCIATUS. 

I'm glad 'tis so ; for such to me 
The great Lucilius ought to be. 
But had you had my master grim 
That once was mine and ruffled him ! 
Reproof and cudgel, sharp and thick, 
Had both been yours, in double quick ! 

Metrophanes. 
You had a master ? 

PORCIATUS. 

That I had ! 
Yes ; Porciatus, neatly clad 
And well-to-do, was once a slave. 
And deaf, blind fate unto him gave 
Cato the censor — such a master ! 
Oh ! may you meet not like disaster ! 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Cato, as censor known to fame, 
Though there is many a better name 
His gifts and graces well would suit: 
As buzzard, skinflint, miser, brute ! 

{As they go oif R. 2 B.) 
Curmudgeon Cato, let me call ! 
The meanest Roman of them all ! 

{Exeunt Omnes.) 
{Enter BivOSSius, L. E. Stops in C.) 

B1.0SSIUS. {Solus.) 
She has not at the rendezvous arrived : 
Yet, since 'tis so that one of us must wait. 
Be it mine to wait upon Cornelia's coming. 
A noble woman she, as all do know. 
But none so well as I, her son's instructor ; 
Meeting her daily, noting at close range 
This high-souled woman, this broad-minded mother; 
The while Tiberius and his brother Caius 
To manhood grew beneath her guiding hand. 
Ah ! well it were had this degenerate Rome 
A host of mothers rearing sons like those, 
To check its headlong rush to ruin, else 
Inevitable as night. 

{Enter R. E. Sature:ius and Rui^us.) 

Satureius. 
Ah ! Blossius ! 
Like us, you're late at your devotions. 
Bi^ossius. 

Yes; 
For which much thanks to whomsoever due. 
Far off I heard the rabble devotees, 
And hoped their noisy rites had ended quite. 
Ere I had reached this trysting-place for me. 



10 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS, 

Satureius. 



Aha! 

Oh ! ho ! 



Ru^us. 



Satureius. 
'Twas not your bounded duty 
To Cybele the general mother god, 
That brought you hither ? 

B1.0SSIUS. 
No, Satureius; 
On the contrary, 'tis a special mother, one 
Well known unto you both, whom I await : 
The mother of Rome's young, rising, soldier-statesman, 
Tiberius Gracchus. 

Satureius. 
There's an able man ! 

RuEus. 
There's none his equal. 

Satureius. 
Have you news of him? 

B1.0SSIUS. 

His wife and daughter learned by fortunate chance, 

Tiberius had a glad surprise in store : 

He lands to-day — a fortnight sooner home. 

And now to deftly turn the tables on him, 

They have conspired to meet him as he lands. 

(Enter L. 4 B. six lecticarii, hearing a lectica, or palan- 
quin, in which recline CorneI/IA and Ceaudia. It 
is set down L. of C, opposite 2 B.) 

And I am in the plot — and here they are ! 

(Claudia and Corneeia are assisted out.) 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS, n 

Corne;IvIa. 
Your pardon, Blossius ; we have kept you waiting. 

Bivossius. 
Barely the needed time to tell his friends 
Tiberius lands to-day. 

CivAUDIA {to CoRNEUA). 

May we not miss him? 

Satureius. 
Good news, indeed, so soon again to gr». et 
That worthy son of a worthy mother, madame. 

Cornelia. 
Accept from me his thanks along with mine. 

RuFus. 
Tiberius adds a luster to his name ; 
I do predict for him a glorious future. 

Cornelia. 
How fortunate to have such friends as you, 
Outspoken in their praise : your cordial words 
Will stir his pulse and spur him to achieve 
The people's good. When both my sons were boys, 
It ever gave me unalloyed delight 
To show them proudly to my friends and say : 
"Behold my jewels !" 

Blossius. 
Rarest of Roman mothers ! 

Cornelia. 
The offspring of Rome's greatest soldier, he 
Who conquered Carthage — that, indeed, am I ; 
Scipio's daughter ; should I not be proud ? 
And yet I can conceive a nobler name, 



12 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

A name recalling purer, loftier deeds ; 
The grander, bloodless victories of peace : 
Oh, such a name in coming days be mine — 
The Mother of the Gracchi ! Let us go. 

They are being assisted into the lectica as the scene 

closes to 

Act I, ScE^NE 2 ; in 2. Street in Rome. In the centre is 

the lodging house belonging to Porciatus. On 

the right of it is a barber-shop ; on the left, is a 

bookseller's. Enter from bookseller's Metro- 

PHANES^ followed by the bookseller, who stop near 

the doorway, which is surrounded by placards 

about books, neiv and old. 

Me:trophanes. 
No copy to be had to-day 
Of Rudens or Caprivi, eh? 
Now that is news I greatly fear 
Lucilius will be loath to hear ; 
For, when he wants a book, 'tis not 
To-morrow, but upon the spot. 

B00KSEIvI.ER. 
I'm sorry, sir; I only knew 
That Plautus pleased a certain few ; 
And so, surprised by great demand, 
I've not a Plautus left on hand. 
Lucilius makes him all the rage. 
And that's why people seek his page. 

MErTROPHANES. 

He's fond of Plautus ; reads him through. 
Then through again, as something new. 
And yet will loan and break his set, 
And who the borrower is, forget ! 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 13 



Bookseller. 
With forty scribes of speed and skill 
A hundred orders I can fill : 
So let Lucilius patience borrow, 
ril send him Plautus, sure, to-morrow. 

Metrophanes. 
For his own satires, what's the day ? 

Bookseller. 
The tenth before the Kalends of May ; 
My clerk has so announced it — look ! 

Metrophanes. 
You won't forget that special book 
That takes a journey far from home 
To great Polybius, friend of Rome : 
'Tis to be written large, take heed. 
For a man of eighty has to read. 

Bookseller. 
The book will please, I'll take my oath, 
Lucilius and Polybius, both. 



{Exit bookseller into his shop.) 
(Enter Porciatus from lodging-house.) 



P0RCL\TUS. 

Your new acquaintance not to know ! 

Metrophanes, 
Ah ! Porciatus ! 

Porciatus. 
Even so, 
Metrophanes. 

Metrophanes. 
What do you here? 



14 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

PORCIATUS. 

I'll call it work, and make it clear : 
Each morning 'tis my pleasant trade 
To gather eggs that have been laid 
The while I slept. You see that sign? 
This lodging-house is a nest of mine. 

Metrophanes. 
Indeed ! 

PORCIATUS. 

In deed. There's one I knew 
Who would be more surprised than you ; 
But never will he turn his head. 

Metrophane^s. 
And why is that? 

PORCIATUS. 

Because he's dead ! 
And salty tears in no one's eyes, 
Since Cato 'tis I can't surprise. 

Msn'ROPHANES. 

And yet of Roman virtues he 
Is taken as epitome. 

PORCIATUS. 

Oh, that's what makes me laugh outright : 
The virtuous Cato, whose delight 
Was not in virtue for itself 
But only when it paid in pelf. 
Those virtues only did he nurse 
That helped to fill his greedy purse. 
To gather gold to glut his lust 
He'd live on water and a crust. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 15 

MEnTROPHANES. 

Admit his love of money, yet 
His love of morals don't forget. 

PORCIATUS. 

His morals ! Who so base as he ? 

He took from slaves a mating fee — 

As though one charged his dogs and cattle — 

Then sold their offspring ! — virtuous prattle ! 

To friends this mean advice he gave : 

Sell oft' your soon-decrepit slave, 

And save his lodging, clothes, and food, 

When he's no longer any good ! 

Metrophanes. 
Well, Cato's name means shrewd, you know. 

PORCIATUS. 

His style of virtue makes me glow ! 
He fostered quarrels and disputes 
Among his slaves, his vocal brutes. 

Metrophanes. 
Of course old Cato was no saint. 
But what a hateful face you paint ! 

PORCIATUS. 

A boor, with money-sharpened wit, 
A hoary-headed hypocrite ! 
Too prudent he to be a knave — 
For sixteen years I was his slave ; 
I may some day my story tell you. 

Mktrophanes. 
ril listen well to what befell you. 

{During the foregoing scene people have been com- 



i6 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

ing and going, altering and leaving the three 
houses. Enter a gang of slaves, L. B., in charge 
of a procurator; cross to R. B., and halt. The 
procurator is checking them off a list.) 

PORCIATUS. 

Scipio Nasica, whom we call 
The richest senator of all, 
Has sent his man a-marketing, 
And see the slaves upon his string! 
With hundreds in his house to-day, 
Where will this lot be stored away ? 

Metrophane^s. 
How wealthy Nasica must be ! 

PORCIATUS. 

A Roman senator is he : 

'Tis easy to get rich ! Hello ! 

(The procurator has found a slave missing. He 
comes a fezv steps to the right and looks off.) 

The shepherd dog some sheep has missed — 

Let's go, or we may swell his list. 

(Bnter slave, L. B.; hurries past them toward the 
procurator.) 

We're saved! {Calling after slave.) And as for you, 
my lad, 

'Tis you should be exceeding glad 

It is not Cato waits for you. 

Or he would paint you black and blue ! 

(Exeunt PoRCiATus and Mettrophaneis L.) 
Draw off to 

Act. I, Scene 3 ; in 3. A room in Nasica's house, look- 
ing out on the inner court, where a fountain is 
playing. The room contains statues, pictureSj 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 17 

and costly furniture, antiquities, and bnc-a-hrac ; 
cedar-wood tables supported by pillars of ivory; 
a sideboard displaying gold and silver plate and 
other valuables, beakers of antique form, a relic 
of the keel of the Argo; Murrhina vases. Slaves 
are seen dusting and sponging the furnishings 
of the room, placing fresh garlands on the 
busts and shields.) 

(Enter L. E. Nasica and Virginia.) 

Virginia. 
I'm glad you've bought the vases. Did you say 
There is a pair their counterpart remaining ? 

Nasica. 
Yes ; and the price will keep it so, I fancy ! 

Virginia. 
Buy it to-morrow : none must ever say : 
"Nasica has the fellows of these vases." 

Nasica. 

True ! 
To leave them for another was unwise. 
The paintings had bewitched me ; oh, they're fine ! 
The costliest ever sold, I was assured : 
And one, the painter says, an arm's length longer 
Than any in Rome ! 

Virginia. 
Oh! yes, a tradesman's lie 
To sell his wares, most likely. Well, what else? 

Nasica. 
The best of all : the famed colossal group. 
The marvelous stone is ours ! Amphion, Zethus, 
And their ill-treated mother, Antiope ; 



i8 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

With Dirce, being bound to the horns of the bull — 
The work of — oh, what are the fellows' names? 
Those Rhodlan sculptors — 

Virginia. 
Yes, I've heard of them. 

Nasica. 
I mean this house of ours shall far surpass 
All Roman houses in magnificence. 

Virginia. 
Lucretia should be ready long ere this. 

Nasica. 
If she but knew my double piece of news, 
She would be doubly vain. 

Virginia. 
Then tell her not, 
She is too vain already. What's the news ? 

Nasica. 
Two marriage offers are awaiting her. 

Virginia. 
From whom? 

Nasica. 
From Junius Marcellus first, then later 
Caius Octavius spoke. 

Virginia. 

Both worthy men. 

Nasica. 
Ay ! that's the trouble ! How to choose between them ? 
Well, they must wait until we weigh their merits 
And sound our daughter's feeling for the two. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 19 

Virginia. 
She'll leave to you the choosing. 

Nasica. 

Grant you that ; 
Nevertheless, since either suitor suits me, 
Gladly I'll let Lucretia shake the balance. 

{Enter R. 3 E. LucREnriA, moving quickly and hum- 
ming an air.) 

Nasica (to Lucre:tia.) 
Not dressed for dinner yet? 

Virginia. 

You will be late, 

Lucretia. 
Then blame the dinner for it, mother mine ; 
Since Cappadox and Geta kept me busy 
Choosing a strikingly bizarre dessert. 

Virginia. 
More urgent choosing waits : Marcellus comes. . 

Lucre^tia. 
He has been here before. 

Virginia. 

Octavius, too. 

Lucretia. 

What then ? 
Are there not seats and food enough for both? 

Nasica. 
Suppose there were not ? Which of the two should stay ? 

Lucretia. 
Oh ! that's for vou to choose ! 



20 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Virginia {to Nasica.) 

My very words ! 

Nasica. 
A dutiful daughter ; luckily, my dear, 
There's room enough and food for both to-day. 
And yet I'm curious to know your choice ; 
So watch them well, and weigh one with the other, 
Choosing the most deserving of the two. 

LUCRETIA. 

Octavius and Marcellus I'm to watch ; 
Noting how much they eat, how fast they eat, 
How well — 

Nasica. 
Stop! Stop! 

LUCRETIA. 

Then what am I to watch? 
(LucRETiA and Virginia going L.) 

Nasica. 
Your mother, she will tell you what and why. 

{Bxeunt LucRETiA and Virginia L. 2 B.) 
{Calling after Lucretia.) And look your prettiest and 

sharpest, too. 
(Solus.) Trust her to see as wide a difference 
In husbands as the hunter does in hounds 
That are each other's image. 

(Servant announces Me^telIvUS, Macedonicus, Pom- 
PEius and Luscus, zvho enter R. B.) 
Welcome, my friends. 
How fortunate to arrive before the rest! 

MeTELIvUS. 

What news is our reward ? 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 21 

Nasica. 
Good news indeed: 
Affairs are prospering finely for us now. 
Could you have seen me not an hour ago, 
Deep in a school-boy's irksome task with figures, 
'Twould have amused you ; but the figures — ah ! 
Their pretty sum would have delighted you. 

POMPEIUS. 

Give cause for such amusement often, say I ! 

Luscus. 
With such delight you ne'er shall weary me. 

Me;teIvLus. 
You have whet my appetite — go on ! go on ! 

Nasica. 
Of public works there are so many kinds 
That breed us money ; bridges, harbors, drains 

POMPEIUS. 

Canals and markets 

Luscus. 
Roads — 

Macedonicus. 

And halls and temples. 

Nasica. 
As long as the law forbids us Senators 
To be in business, nothing is left to us 
But gather gold by trusty agent's aid. 
First, for a bonus give the contract to him ; 
Loaning the money needed for the work; 
Then sharing profits. 



22 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

POMPEIUS. 

So it pays, what matters ? 

Nasica. 
True ; for the business pays surpassing well. 
Admit there's been a deal of money spent — 
Judicious outlay to induce some fools 
To take a reasonable view of things. 

Mm^TE^I^LUS. 

What boundless greed consumes some magistrates! 

Nasica. 
Our present war is nearing to an end ; 
Numantia's fall is certain and soon to be. 
The Senate's task then forthwith follows : to find 
Profitable work for the legions' idle hands ; 
Perhaps 'twill be in northern Italy ; 
Perhaps in Egypt — Asia — Syria ; 
Since Macedonia's kingdom is no more ! 
And the Achaean power and Carthage are destroyed. 
Let malcontents object because, forsooth ! 
These wars we plan increase our private fortunes : 
Do they not keep the rabble out of Rome ? 
Who else would choke our overcrowded streets? 
Do not these wars of ours give work to others, 
To feed and clothe their fellows in the field? 

Macedonicus. 
Most cogent facts. 

Luscus. 

And most convincing, too ! 

MeTTEIvLUS. 

You dropped a hint of project vast and deep: 
Has it taken form sufficient to define? 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 23 

Nasica. 
Stupendous scheme! And when it shall succeed 
'Twill make us five the richest in the world ! 

POMPEIUS. 

That will be worth the telling ! 

Luscus. 

And the hearing, too ! 

Nasica. 
King Attains of Pergamum is ill ; 
His only cure will be the cure-all death ; 
Nor will it keep him waiting overlong. 
The King has never loved his natural son, 
Young Aristonicus, presumptive heir. 
He hates him with a fierce unreasoning hate 
His illness has engendered. Here's the task: 
To turn his present mood to our advantage, 
Artfully urge the fitting punishment 
Is disinheritance ; bequeath to Rome 
His kingdom and his treasure ! 

M^Ti:i.Lus. 

Ay ! but how ? 

Nasica. 
Through Eumenes, my trusty friend at court, 
Adviser to the King, who knows his part 
And plays it most adroitly. Trust to him 
When Attains shall die then such a will 
Shall be forthcoming. Now for the pith of it: 
We Senators, as is our bounden duty. 
Thereon shall be the will's executors ; 
And so shall have the handling of the treasure. 
Money and lands — a King's and kingdom's wealth ! 
Does that not whet your jaded appetites? 



24 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Macedonicus. 
'Tis truly great ! 

Luscus. 

A daring, dazzling plan ! 

POMPEIUS. 

Ay ! Nasica deserves a triumph for it ! 

Macedonicus. 
Good ! Good ! A triumph let it be ! 

{Enter a servant announcing Eumenes.) 

Nasica. 
A word of warning: Eumenes arrives 
Straight from the dying King of Pergamum; 
Say nothing of the will : a workman's whim 
To answer only with the finished work. 
{To Eumenes.) All welcome, Eumenes. My friends; 
Pompeius — Luscus — Metellus — Macedonicus. 
How opportune your reaching Rome to-day, 
In time to dine with certain friends of mine. 

Eumenes. 
Believe me, sir, the honor I esteem. 

{Enter servant announcing MarcelI/US and Octa- 
vius.) 

Nasica. 
{Aside.) I durst not smile to see these blindfold rivals, 
Neither the other knowing so to be. 
{Aloud.) Where is Tiberius Gracchus, gentlemen? 

MARCEI.I.US. 

Calling upon Lucilius, I believe. 

Nasica. 
He had been saved the trouble had he known 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 25 

Lucilius will be dining here to-day. 

{To Eumi;nes) Marcellus and Octavius. {To Marcel- 

Lus and Octavius) Eumenes, 
Still travel-stained from Pergamum direct. 

Octavius. 
Your royal master Attains is ill? 

Eumenes. 
Alas ! exceedingly, I grieve to say. 

Marcellus. 
His many friends in Rome will with you grieve. 

Octavius. 
It is our privilege and honor, sirs. 
To meet in you the arbiters of Rome. 

Nasica. 
As great the honor ours ; for are not you 
To shape Rome's destiny when we are gone ? 

Marcellus. 
But why not let us rule a little now? 
To lull the pangs of hunger while we wait 
The satisfying feast when you are gone? 

{Enter a servant followed by LuciLius.) 

LuciLius. 
You little know our worthy host 
When he gives up power gives up the ghost. 

Nasica. 
Our gay-winged wasp flies in and lights and stings. 
But come, what have you done with Gracchus, say ? 

LuciLius. 
Left him in not so very sorry plight. 



2(y TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Scaevola, Claudius, Crassus, left and right, 
And that he would escape I had no fear. 
And therefore did not wait to guard the rear. 

Nasica. {Introducing) 
Lucilius: Eumenes of Pergamum. 
You others know the satirist, I know, 
His eagle eye, sharp wit, and ready pen. 
{To EuM^NES.) Our self-elected censor for life — be- 
ware ! 

Eumenes. 
Lucilius is well known in Pergamum. 

Luciuus. 
Thanks for the warning, Eumenes, although 
So far from Rome I never mean to go, 
Save for a province ; Nasica, take heed : 
Have you a province that you do not need? 

Nasica. 
Calpurnius has been working while you slept, 
And so your application comes too late. 
Come all this way, there's something worth the seeing, 
Ere we sit down to dine. {Going up.) 

Marcellus. {To Lucilius.) 

Calpurnius wins ! 

Luciuus. 
He wishes a province ! most modest of men ! 
Suppose that he gets it? what will he do then? 
The first year in office 'twill be his intent 
To get from the province the money he spent ; 
The second year's savings he's putting aside 
For bribing the judge, later on when he's tried; 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 27 

The third year the province so handsomely pays, 

He gathers a fortune to last all his days ! 

Close in to 

Act I, Scenes 4 : in 2. The entrance to Nasica's house. 
Enter R. B. half a dozen clients, who go into 
house. Enter Porciatus, L. E., in time to see 
the others. 

PoRCiATus. {Solus.) 
Those clients show their great good sense, 
To feed at Nasica's expense. 
How miser Cato used to scold 
When Roman nobles squandered gold ; 
Dear gold, for which he grubbed all day. 
And with the lives of slaves would pay ; 
Sweet gold, the villain loved so much 
And held with such a deathlike clutch. 
These nobles used as lavishly 
As though 'twere water flowing free. 

{Enter Metrophane:s, from Nasica's house.) 

Mm'ROPHANES. 

Come, Porciatus, you are late, 

You must not make the diners wait ! 

Porciatus. 
'Tis better late, to say the least, 
Than once within to leave the feast. 

Metrophanes. 
My leaving was no fault of mine, 
It would have pleased me well to dine : • 
That I'm as empty as I came, 
Lucilius is alone to blame. (Points over shoulder.) 

Porciatus. 
Ah ! Nasica's a man of wit : 



28 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

He feeds the dog to be not bit. 

{Bnter R. B. Mummius and Flaccus; cross and 
exeunt into Nasica's house.) 
Flaccus and Mummius, both good friends 
Unto the people for good ends. 
They will each other better know 
A half-year hence, no doubt. 

Metrophands. 
How so? 

PORCIATUS. 

Because to-morrow night 'tis said 

That Mummius will fair Fulvia wed. 

{Bnter R. B. Satureius and RuFus ; cross and ex- 
eunt into Nasica's house.) 

Satureius and Rufus — well. 

They will at least the chorus swell 

In praise of Nasica the Great. 

{Bnter Rubrius; crosses and exits into Nasica's 
house. ) 

And Rubrius, the candidate. 

Soon from the urn will learn his fate. 

Metrophanes. 
Your gift of knowing face and name 
Would give a nomenclator fame. 

{Bnter R. B. Ci^audius and Crassus.) 

PORCIATUS, 

Hush ! here are men of sterling worth 
That's better far than wealth and birth; 
There's Claudius, consul years ago, 
And High Priest Crassus. 

Metrophanes. 
Him I know. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 29 

Claudius. {To Crassus.) 
Crassus, I fear that we are surely late. 

Cr.\ssus. 
We're in the best of company, Claudius, 
Since yonder comes our consul Scsevola. 

(Enter L. B. Sc^vola, supported by six lictors, car- 
rying axes and bundles of fasces or birchen 
rods. ) 

Sc^voLA. (To Claudius and Crassus.) 
Are we not late ? 

Crassus. 
Well, some one must be last. 

Claudius. 
And rather ten times last than ever first. 

(Exeunt Claudius, Crassus, Sc^vola, and lictors 
into Nasica's house.) 

PORCIATUS. 

Our pontifex maximus, in his way , 
Is as shrewd as Cato, I must say. 
His dinner list as here we scan 
Displays the method of the man : 
Whoe'er can pass his business test. 
Can enter as an honored guest. 
For though he's rich as few there be, 
Has vast estates in Tuscany 
And Africa, his wealth is still 
A snowball half-way down the hill, 
And he expects them one and all 
To somehow help to roll the ball. 

Min'ROPHANES. 

Fate is unfair to say the least, 



30 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

A thousand starve and one to feast ; 
Are not life's good things as they go, 
Quite misapportioned ? 

PORCIATUS. 

Truly so ! 
And everybody's daily care 
Is how to get a bigger share ! 



Close to; 



Act I, ScEjNE 5; full Draw oif to Nasica's dining' 
room. View into the peristylium, with its col- 
onnaded garden. In the room are three square 
triclinia or dining tables, of cedar-wood, each 
surrounBed on three sides by nine lecti, or one- 
armed couches, inlaid with tortoise-shells, the 
lozver part trimmed with white hangings em- 
broidered with gold, supplied with purple pil- 
lows and cushions of silken stuffs; each table 
seating nine guests. There are side-tables on 
which a/re valuable drinking vessels. Pictures 
adorn the walls; hunting scenes, fruit and game. 
At the middle table are seated Lucri^tia, Vir- 
ginia, Nasica, Sc^voi^a, a place for Grac- 
chus, not yet come; Claudius, Eumenes.. 
Crassus, Satureius. At the left hand table 
are seated Macedonicus, Pompeius, Rui^us^ 
Luscus, OcTAvius, Marcellus, Pr^co, Ar- 
CHELAUS, A1.BINUS. At the right hand table are 
seated L^nas, Stilo, Carbo, Luciuus, Flac- 
cus, and Mummius, Meteleus, Rubrius, An- 
Nius. The scene opens zvith a confusion of 
voices. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 31 

Voices. 
Let us hear it ! Listen ! Hush ! The Sword ! The 

Sword ! 
Lucilius, read it! 

Nasica. 
Order, gentlemen ! 
Take breath ! Lucilius will no doubt delight us : 
Come ! for the company waits your tribute to the sword. 

Lucilius (rising and unrolling a manuscript), 
'Tis kind of you unto my lines to lend an eager ear ; 
Since some there are for reasons good my verses will not 

hear. 

The Sword. 
Hail to the sword ! ever ready to aid us ; 

See how it flashes and leaps in delight ! 
Hail to the sword ! and to all it has made us ! 

Worthy of worship that weapon of might ! 

Give unto others the pleasure of making, 

Buying and selling — ambition of slaves ! 
Leave to the sword of the Roman the taking 

Where he can find them the things that he craves ! 

Others may trust in their riches or learning : 

Useless their knowledge and vain is their hoard ; 

Valiant Romans such puny arts spurning. 
Conquer and capture at point of the sword ! 

War is a word unto us of good omen : 

Tradesmen and shopkeepers at the word quake ; 

War is the only trade worthy a Roman — 
Hail to the sword ! Let the echoes awake ! 



32 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Out with the sword ! There are slaves, land and plunder 

Waiting for Romans to take as their due. 
"Ever at war !" is the watchword we thunder : 

Work for the many and wealth for the few ! 

Hail to the sword ! the untiring, the trusty : 
Holding the ship, plow, and pen, in disdain ! 

When the day dawns on a sword dull and rusty, 
Naught of the glories of Rome will remain ! 

{Applause folloivs the reading,) 

F1.ACCUS. 
Trenchant and true throughout, Lucilius ; 
What sword is so keen as your piercing pen ? 

MeteIvIvUS. (To Mummius.) 
And so we're merely brigands ! do you hear ? 
And ignorant ones as well ! 

Mummius. 
To suffering Spain 
Most truly have we proved ourselves the one, 
And unto cultured Athens are the other. 
Crassus. {To Claudius.) 
"Ever at war!" — a just arraignment that! 

Claudius. 
How inconsistent we, despising trade. 
Yet make a trade of war ! 

OCTAVIUS. {To Marcellus.) 
His lines how true ! 
They show our sole reliance is the sword. 

Marcellus. 
That ever-ready sword he glorifies 
In matchless irony is dull indeed 
Beside the keenness of his polished verse. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 33 

LucRETiA. {To Virginia.) 
Oh ! how I envy him that gift of his ! 

Sc.^voLA. {To Nasica.) 
After the Roman sword has vanquished quite 
Commercial rivals, rightly it disdains 
The ship, the plow, the pen — those tools of trade. 

Nasica. {To Luciuus.) 
I take the moral of your verse to be : 
Keep the sword bright by usage — is it not? 
We miss Tiberius Gracchus. 

C1.AUDIUS. 
That we do; 
Nothing but illness could have come between; 
For, as I've said already, on the way 
A messenger from home o'ertook him 
With evil tidings of his eldest born, 
A sick child, suddenly at point of death. 

Nasica. 
The spectre of death was doubtless conjured up 
By the fears of a loving mother. 

Claudius. 

Let us hope 
It proves a false alarm ; and so anon 
Tiberius our kinsman will arrive. 

Nasica. 
I'm anxious for his coming, I admit ; 
For rumors reach me quite disquieting, 
And only he can fix their truth or falsehood. 

Claudius. 
Whene'er you question him be very sure 
You'll learn the truth, how sweet or bitter it be. 



34 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Nasica. 
I know it. Lately he has greatly changed, 
Seems brooding over something ; what it is, 
I mean to learn to-day, by simply asking. 
Another matter sets me wondering: 
His simple presence as he passes stirs 
To strange enthusiasm ; I would learn 
Whereon is based his hold on the common people. 

(Enter by door in centre, Tiberius Gracchus) 

Nasica. 
I had almost said the laggard has arrived ; 
I'll say instead, how is the ailing child ? 

Gracchus. 
Better, since I am here. 

Nasica. 
I'm glad of that. 
What news about besieged Numantia? 
From Scipio and Caius ? 

Gracchus. 
Little and much : 
From cautious Scipio comes little ; yet. 
Remembering Carthage, need we protestations 
That he will never loose his legions' fangs 
Until Numantia's ours? As for my brother, 
Caius has warmer blood and looser tongue, 
And full of knowledge needs must testify: 
He is assured beyond a peradventure 
Long ere his safe prediction reaches Rome 
Numantia will have fallen ! 

Voices. 

Good ! Good ! 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 35 

Nasica. 
A triumph is in sight for Scipio! 

Saturius. 
On that we are agreed ! 

MUMMIUS. 

And be it one 
To equal that to great ^milius, given. 

Sc^^VOLA. 

Ah ! that indeed was fine ! I mind it well : 

'Twas fully five and thirty years ago. 

Three days with wonders filled from dawn to dusk. 

The spoils of the vanquished Macedonians. 

On the first day images, pictures, statues shown 

In pomp upon a thousand chariots. 

In glorious array on the second morn 

Their beautiful and costly armor and arms , 

On wagons borne ; then thrice a thousand men 

Came carrying nigh to a thousand vessels, each 

Three talents weight and with coined silver filled. 

Then followed victors bearing silver cups 

And bowls and goblets, great in size and costly. 

Ah ! but that final day ! that was a day ! 

That was a day to be forgotten never ! 

At trumpets' sound the grand procession moved: 

More than a hundred youths stalled oxen led, 

Whose horns were gilded, heads adorned with flowers. 

Then boys passed bearing gold and silver salvers ; 

Gold coin in seven-and-seventy vessels stored ; 

The consecrated bowl iEmilius made, 

Ten talents weight and set with precious gems — 

A treasure in itself; then sturdy fellows 

Cups of Antigonus and Seleneus bore 



36 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

And the fine gold plate on Perseus' table used ; 

And next rolled past the chariot of Perseus, 

On which were borne his diadem and armor. 

Then came the captive children of the King, 

With all their nurses, governors, and masters : 

All this magnificence preparatory 

For the central figure, climax of the pageant, 

Great Perseus, King of Macedon, himself. 

In sombre black attended by his friends. 

As 'twere indeed his corpse for burial. 

And when this mournful train in silence passed, 

The glories of the victory succeeded: 

Fully four hundred golden crowns were shown, 

Four hundred cities gave ^milius 

The conqueror; who fittingly now followed 

Within a gorgeous chariot reclining. 

Clad in a robe of richest purple and gold. 

And in his right hand bearing a branch of laurel. 

Last of it all marched past the pride of Rome, 

Her matchless army, waving laurel branches 

And chanting in triumphant ceaseless song. 

The praises of ^milius, conqueror! 

Luciuus. 
The life of the soldier is roughest of prose. 
But when will the pen bring such honors as those ? 

Lucre:tia. 
The honors of the sword are great, and brief. 
Their memory fading with the laurel leaf: 
The honors of the pen are slow and sure. 
And through the coming ages will endure. 

LuciLius. 
Your words my rising melancholy cure. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 37 

(The diners are nozv entertained by jugglers, dancers 
and singers.) 

Marce^i^lus. 
Have you heard the story of Damophilus ? 

OCTAVIUS. 

Not I! 

LUCRETTIA. 

Nor I, Marcellus. 

Crassus. 

Let us hear it ! 

Marcellus. 
Well, then, Damophilus, a Greek of Henna, 
Rich as — a Roman senator, we'll say, 
And yet withal, an ill bred, ignorant fellow, 
Spending his worthless time in whipping slaves 
Assisted by his worthy wife, Megallis — 
This well-matched, low-lived couple met a fate 
In perfect keeping with their cruel conduct : 
Murdered by slaves they daily had tormented, 
Slaying their master with his costly sword. 
And with an axe beheading. Worse the fate 
Befel his tiger-hearted wife, Megallis ; 
The women slaves repaid unto the tiger 
Torture for torture, then cast her down the rocks. 
But now the best of all remains to tell : 
By some strange freak of wonder-working Nature, 
The offspring of this base, ferocious couple. 
Proved gentle, tender, kind, compassionate — 
The very traits her precious parents lacked ! 
She had comforted and soothed the wretched slaves. 
Who loved her dearly, touched no hair of her head. 



38 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

But sent her orphaned, safely under escort 
Unto relations in Catania ! 

LUCRETIA. 

Poor girl ! How pitiful a fate was hers ! 

MUMMIUS. 

The mistress is more cruel as a rule, 
Unto her slaves than the master unto his. 

Flaccus. 
The story warns us never to forget 
One has as many enemies as slaves. 

Gracchus. 
The story tells us to remember well 
The slaves' condition : nakedness, cold, and hunger, 
Torture and infamy; a foreign country 
Wherein they live like horses, dogs and cats, 
Having no rights whatever, dying soon 
Of overwork, ill treatment, change of climate. 

Nasica. 
A gruesome list ! It is a libel, surely ! 

MUMMIUS. 

Now why should Nasica wince, I wonder, 



FivACCUS. 

He has large estates in Sicily ! 

MUMMIUS. 



Hush! 



Oho! 



Gracchus. 
From end to end of Sicily what saw I ? 
Slave-yards and palaces and nothing else. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 39 

Now mark me : when the slaves in Sicily 
All join the spreading wild-fire insurrection, 
Then will they rule that island. 

Nasica. 
Let them rule. 
Until our legions lash them back to work. 
Ah ! that's the sovereign cure for slaves' distemper ! 

Gracchus. 
The army cannot cure that dread disease, 
Coming from Spain I passed through Tuscany 
And through Etruria ; whom saw I there ? 
None but barbarians and foreign slaves 
Shepherding flocks and cultivating land, 
I saw where boundaries had been broken up 
And land invaded: while the valiant owner 
Far off was fighting for the Roman state ; 
His tender children with his feeble parents, 
Carrying the little household images 
Their father's father's father venerated. 
Were driven forth from home, the little farm, 
By rich and powerful neighbors. 

MaRCEIvLUS. 

Shameful ! Shameful ! 

Gracchus. 
Albeit beasts of Italy have dens 
And holes and hiding-places, yet the men 
Who nobly fought in Italy's defense 
Have light and air and nought whatever else ; 
Are landless, houseless, wanderers : the while 
Our bold commanders are exhorting soldiers 
To guard their tombs and temples — how grotesque ! , 
These soldiers fight not for ancestral tomb 



40 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS, 

Or family altar, being blessed with neither ; 
They fight for wealth and luxury for others, 
And die as lords of the earth — a mocking title, 
Since not one clod of it all they call their own ! 

Luciuus. 
The scheming politician knows so well the warrior child : 
By fireside, temple, tomb, and such like gilded words be- 
guiled. 

Nasica. 
Admit one-half you say, Tiberius, 
What's to be done? The poor is always with us, 
And will be always — idle, shiftless people 
That good men waste their sympathies upon. 

Gracchus. 
These warlike cousins of ours are the strength of Rome, 
Supply her conquering legions with her children — 
But not for long; their numbers dwindle daily. 
Borne down by taxes, poverty, and battles. 
Why are they idle ? Rich men own the land 
And set their slaves in swarms to sow and reap. 
For such disease the remedy is plain : 
Let only freemen cultivate the land; 
Restore the sturdy, thrifty, farmer class. 
From which the noble Cincinnatus came. 

Nasica. 
Nonsense ! Turn back the forward march ? Absurd ! 
Raise wheat and barley? Who would be that fool. 
When 'tis more profitable breeding stock. 
Supplying wool and clothing for the army. 

Gracchus. 
Truly more profitable with many slaves, 
Got cheaply and worked to death while freemen starve. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. <i 

Nasica. 
That's an old, old story many have told, 
And only grew excited in the telling. 
Suggest what shall be done ; be practical. 

Gracchus. 
'Tis good advice well taken : hear me then : 
Note well : the founding of colossal fortunes ; 
Slave agriculture ; the growth of large estates ; 
The disappearance of the little farms ; 
The cultivated land reduced to pasture; 
Decrease in population — all these ills 
The dire effects of one prolific cause ; 
The public land abuse, unlawful holding. 
Since lawless occupation is the source. 
Begin reform the plain and only way : 
Restore the public land to its rightful owner, 
The Roman people ! 

Voices. 
Oh! 

Nasica. 

Preposterous ! 
It is the raving of a lunatic ! 

Mete^llus. 
Remember Lselius, well named the Wise, 
Who, knowing not the proper thing to do, 
Yet knew enough to let the task alone ! 

POMPEIUS. 

Ha! ha! ha! ha! 

Macedonicus. 
A wise one he ! Ha ! ha ! 



42 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

Gracchus. 
Be not too hasty in your merriment. 
How far apart is ignorance and knowledge? 
So great the space 'twixt Lsehus and me. 
I know both what to do and how to do it ; 
And have the will to undertake the task. 

{Laughter and jeers.) 

Nasica. 
Hush ! We will humor him. Tiberius, 
Come tell us now this clever plan of yours. 

Gracchus. 
A plan direct and simple and just to all: 
I shall become a tribune (if they will), 
And thereupon revive the Licinian law 
That makes five hundred jugera the limit: 
All public lands beyond that legal holding 
Forthwith reverts unto the Roman state, 
And then its just division will be made 
Among the poor to whom the land belongs. 

Nasica. 
Without a doubt the man is crazy quite ! 

METEI.LUS. 

He would destroy the fabric of our state. 

Marcel ivus. 
He ably voices views I gladly share ! 

LuCRETiA. {Aside.) 
How pleased am I Marcellus speaks for me. 

POMPEIUS. 

This is a robbers' plan he offers. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 43 

Flaccus. 

No; 
He would restore their stolen property 
Unto the people ; may he soon succeed ! 

Sc.^voLA. 
At least we must admit his daring task 
Is difficult and dangerous, indeed. 

MUMMIUS. 

It needs must be a task impossible 

To keep our coming tribune from the doing. 

MeTELIvUS. 

He is not tribune yet. 

Nasica. 
Nor will be ever. 

Crassus. 
He keenly feels the poor man's wretched lot. 

Luscus. 
Bah ! It is commonplace revenge inspires him : 
Simply a grudge he has against the Senate — 
That three-year old Numantian aflfair. 

Claudius. 
'Tis true the Senate grossly wronged him there. 

Annius. 
Is it not pure self-glorification moves him? 

Marcellus. 
He never needed crooked path to honor : 
Why should he scheme for what's already his ? 

Nasica. {To Gracchus.) 
Then 'tis your fixed resolve to sov/ dissension, 



44 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

And knowingly and with deliberation 
Start baleful fires of horrid civil war ; 
Set Romans killing Romans ? 

Gracchus. 
The gods forbid ! 

We want not war but justice unto all. 

The public land belongs unto the people ; 

Among the people be the land apportioned. 

I ask you is a Roman citizen 

Not better than a slave ? Is not a soldier 

Far usefuller a man than he who fights not 

Or fights against us? Come; be reasonable: 

Almost the whole of the land by war acquired 

Is held by the nobles ; theirs the happy hope 

To conquer all the habitable globe ; 

But 'twill take soldiers to do it, mark you, soldiers; 

And where will Rome recruit? Among the slaves 

Supplanting freemen slowly dying out? 

Instead of conquering shall we not become 

Too weak to hold that which we now possess ? 

Short-sighted nobles should remember this: 

Leave little things alone and seize the great; 

Surrender public land, even as a gift. 

And be rewarded thrice a hundredfold, 

When conquering legions subjugate the earth. 

As for myself, I formally forego 

The honors waiting me without exertion. 

I shall not take my place among the few 

A thoughtless, heartless ruler, like the rest ; 

Rather help others on and up, I'll try : 

The common people's champion am I ! 

{Applause and hootings and exclamations for and 
against, during which the curtain falls.) 
End 0^ Act I, Tibkrius Gracchus. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

ACT TWO. (July, 133 B. C— A. U. C, 620.) 

Scene i ; in 2. Entrance to Mummius's house. On the 
right of the entrance there is a fuller's shop; on 
the left hand, a goldsmith's Enter R. B., La- 
viNiA, a maid of Lucretia. She Stops in the 
centre and counts money. 

Lavinia. {Counting.) 
That's two — and four — and six — and eight : 
The smith will get a sum so great 
Her broken necklace but to fix — 
A new one I could buy for six ; 
A beauty, too, that I adore ! 
How do I wish, as oft before, 

My father was a senator ! ' 

But wishes are as weak as dreams. 
On me Good Fortune sheds no beams. 

{Bxit into the goldsmith's shop. Enter L. E. MeT- 

ROPHANES^ carrying a package; looks after her 

a moment, then comes to C.) 

Metroph ANES. ( Solus. ) 
Into the goldsmith's shop she went, 
Where twice a week, at least, she's sent. 
My master's toga brings me here ; 
I'm glad the fuller's shop is near. 
I'll get my errand quickly through, 
And bid Lavinia how d'ye do. 

(Exit into fuller's shop. Re-enter Lavinia from the 

goldsmith's with a small package; stops in the 

centre.) 

45 



46 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Lavinia. {Half opening the package.) 
Now, that's what I call handsome, fine ! 
I wish that half of it were mine ! 
If I could ever save its cost, 
Or find a purse that no one lost, 
I'd have a necklace twin to this : 
But I'm afraid the prize I'll miss. 

{Re-enter Metrophani^s from the fuller' s.) 

MijTROPHANES. {Coming forward quickly.) 
Ah ! now's the moment I must seize : 
Lavinia ! 

Lavinia. 
Metrophanes ! 

Metrophane^s, 
You look so happy, I'll be bound. 
That's something pretty you have found ! 

Lavinia. 
It should be pretty at the cost ; 
And I found it where it wasn't lost. 
Is it not a beauty ? 

Metrophane^S. 
Rather so. 

Lavinia. 
Yet round my neck 'twill never go! 

Min'ROPHANES. 

I'm glad my daily occupation 
Will never lead me in temptation. 

Lavinia. 
Be good enough to tell me why ? 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 47 

Metrophanes. 
My master lives not for the eye ; 
He is a man of sense, no fop, 
No creature of a tradesman's shop. 

Lavinia. 
My mistress is no giddy girl, 
Whose senses all are in a whirl ; 
On dress and jewelry intent — 
So you may save your compliment. \ 

Metrophanes. 
Well, have it any way you choose. 

(Sounds of music heard off L.) 
What's that? 

Lavinia. 
The bridal troupe. 



But whose ? 



Metrophanes. 

Lavinia. 
Why, Fulvia and Mummius. 

Metrophanes. 
Oh, then 'twill be a famous fuss. 

Lavinia. 
As great as any seen in Rome, 
I'm off to see him bring her home. 

Metrophanes. 
And I will keep you company. 
{Aside.) Lucilius needs me not. 

{The procession is entering L.) 



48 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Lavinia. 

Ohj see! 
{The wedding procession exits into the house of 
MuMMius.) Dram off to 
Act II, ScE^Ni: 2; full. Room or peristylium in Mum- 
Mius's house. Enter, L. U. B., Mummius and 
Fui^viA arm in arm. They come to centre. 

Mummius. 
Now having duly signed the marriage contract; 
And having hfted you across my threshold ; 
And fire and water having touched together ; 
Now are we bound by strongest human tie. 

FuLVIA. 

Yet lightest tie of all and easiest borne. 
Most wisely did my father choose for me : 
None other would have suited me so well — 
Not even Gracchus, paragon though he be, 
Were he unwed and handsome as yourself. 

Mummius. 
What! what! already jealous, Fulvia? 
Of Gracchus, too, a sober married man! 
Leave that for me ! 

FuivVIA. 

I've heard so much of Gracchus : 
My father never wearies praising him ; 
And now you sound the paean. 

Mummius. 

Only wait ! 
Yourself shall join the chorus, by and by: 
All wives should praise him for his father's sake. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 49 

FULVIA. 

His father's sake ! Then one inherits praise. 
Like land and slaves and money ! Tell me why ? 

MUMMIUS. 

A story brief and simple running thus : 

One summer eve the father of Gracchus found 

Two serpents, male and female, in his room. 

The soothsayer then foretold this death dilemma : 

Either he kill the male and with it die, 

Or kill the female, dooming his wife to death. 

So being older than Cornelia — 

Whom he held truly dearer than his life — 

He killed the snake on which his life depended : 

And so he perished, leaving her to mourn, 

To mourn a loss profound, irreparable ; 

Not even King Ptolemy's proffered crown could ease. 

FuivVIA. 

The profitable moral seems to be : 
Beware of serpents breeding in the house. 

(Enter Lucretia, L. 3 E.) 

LUCRETIA. 

For this intrusion on your tete-a-tete 

I offer no apology to either. 

Why should I feel for you the least compunction? 

There's such a wealth of time awaiting you. 

These paltry moments never will be missed. 

MUMMIUS. 

What, rob us thus ! and we shall never miss 
What's stolen before our very looking eyes ! 
What ! never let me have the chance to show 
My generosity and self-denial. 
By leaving you awhile alone together ! 



50 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

I'll on the instant go and make complaint— 
Though unto whom, I'm really at a loss ! 

{Exit MuMMius, L. 3 E.) 

FULVIA. 

Is he not charming ! O Lucretia ! 
I wish you wedded unto such another. 

Lucretia. 
What ! Is there such another left for me ? 
Ah ! fortunate Fulvia ! no choice to have, 
Yet fare right royally, while I, alas! — 

Fulvia. 
Well, if you mean confession, what of you? 

Lucretia. 
A choice of suitors unto me was given ; 
After I made deliberate choice of one, 
The sudden whim that gave me chance to choose, 
As quickly was recalled. My father chose, 
And chose for me him whom I had not chosen, 
Caius Octavius. 

Fulvia. 
Unfortunate ! 
Why did your father so unkind an act? 

Lucretia. 
Tiberius Gracchus means to become a tribune, 
Revive the Licinian law respecting land, 
And this enrages father. 

Fulvia. 
Ay, but then, 
Tiberius has a wife and children ! 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 51 

LUCRETIA. 

But Junius Marcellus, whom I chose, 
He thinks the world and all of Gracchus, 
He loves him next to me — or is it next ? — 
Is heart and soul devoted to his cause : 
And so my angry father metes his rage 
'Twixt Gracchus and Marcellus equally. 

FULVIA. 

Why, Mummius has this Gracchus fever too! 

{Bfiter L. U. B. Flaccus, Marcellus and Mum- 
mius.) 
Come, gentlemen, what subtle fascination. 
What mystic power, is it draws and holds you 
Mothlike around Tiberius Gracchus, say? 



His deep sincerity. 



Marcellus. 

Mummius. 

His love of justice. 



Flaccus. 
His passion for the people. 

LUCRETIA. 

Threefold reason : 
His is a personality unique, 
So vividly to stamp itself upon you. 

Marcellus. 
His lofty mein, his noble countenance, 
His very presence an uplifting force. 
His fearless speech whose tones ring clear and true. 
And how inspiring ! 



52 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

What enthusiasm! 
How few there be can boast a friend like you ! 

MarcelIvUS. (Apart to LucREn^iA.) 
I lately asked you of your father. 

LucRETiA. (Apart to MarceIvIvUS.) 

Yes. 

FULVIA. 

He means to be a tribune, so I hear. 

MUMMIUS. 

And so he shall be when election comes. 

MARCEI.I.US. (Apart to Lucretia.) 
Your father will not have me for a son. 

LucRETTiA. (Apart to MarceIvIvUS.) 

I know it ! 

MUMMIUS. 

With Tiberius tribune 

Possessors of the public land, beware ! 

Flaccus. 
He is not tribune yet, nor ever will be, 
If bribery can prevent it. I have heard — 

(Continues speaking in dumb show.) 

MarceXvI^us. (Apart to Lucretia.) 
Octavius in perfect innocence 
For his good fortune my good wishes asked. 
Though not by nature churlish, as you know, 
I did decline and gave the reason why : 
1 had spoken first, but him your father chose — 
I had rather you had chosen ! 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 53 

LucRirriA. {Apart to Marcellus. ) 

That did I. 

MaRCEIvI^US. 

Ah ! doubly fortunate Octavius then. 

LUCRETIA. 

You hasty fellow, did I say I chose him? 

MaRCEXIvUS. 

Now you have quite disturbed my stoic mind, 
And sown new seeds of sorrow in my heart. 
For since we chose each other 'tis a shame 
A father's choosing brings no joy to either. 
Can aught be done to change his resolution? 

LUCRETIA. 

Nothing; the friend of Gracchus will be ever 
My father's enemy. 

Marckllus. 
Is it possible ! 
Mine own act cuts us off from happiness ! 

LUCRETIA. 

'Tis now too late Friend Gracchus to forswear. 
Though as for me, at any time 'twere base. 

MUMMIUS. 

What foolishness this voting business is ! 

{Enter CIvAudius, Crassus, Sc^vola and B1.0SSIUS.) 
What signifies it whether open or secret. 
If there's no merit in the candidate. 
No virtue in the voter? 

Flaccus. 

Truly so : 
At the beginning let our task begin : 
Uplift and educate the common people. , 



54 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Marcei^lus. 
Truly 'twill be a task herculean ; 
But be our rulers educated first : 
Their cruel perfidy and vile extortion 
Drove Spain to bloody, desperate revolt, 
By the Lusitanian mountain shepherd led. 
That truly able general, Viriathus : 
So dextrous, nimble, strong ; so brave and gifted ; 
Prompt in rewarding worth and sharing spoils ; 
One who has often whipped our Roman legions. 

BivOSSius. 
His an heroic people, scorning chains ; 
A dangerous, desperate cargo — ask the dealers ! 
Willing to kill their captors or themselves, 
To sink the ship and with the Romans drown ; 
Preferring any death to slavery. 

Flaccus. 
A happy choice for victims of our greed. 

Crassus. 
Man as a human being we respect not ; 
Viewing as virtue our transcendent vice: 
Hardheartedness to others weaker than we, 
To enemies and subjects. 

C1.AUDIUS. 

True, alas ! 
Our army equals fire plus pestilence. 
Brings unto thousands famine, ruin, slaughter. 
Subverting even nationality. 

Blossius. 
That follows from the Roman point of view. 
That all things done in war are just and proper: 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 55 

Perjury, stratagem, and cruelty; 
Deception, falsehood, cunning, trickery ; 
A butcherlike barbarity is theirs — 
The Spanish war was full of shameful deeds. 

{Enter L^lius and Luciuus L. U. E.) 

Flaccus. 
What are we fighting for? That feverish dream 
Worldwide dominion? No, 'tis not for that: 
Nor menacing barbarians to beat back. 
The mercantile class still hound our legions on. 
Commercial rivals to exterminate. 
Public and private treasuries conquest fills, 
Increases luxury, and makes the means 
Of ostentation the more keenly sought. 

Marce;llus. 
Colossal fortunes which the nobles gain. 
Fire their ambition, till equality. 
Republican equality, is hateful. 
The while the middle class, as Gracchus says, 
In hopeless poverty are sinking deeper. 

Sc^voivA. 
'Tis wrong and should be righted. What's the State? 
A partnership with property for stock, 
The acquisitions thereunto by arms 
The profits of the trade, in which should share 
Each citizen partner. Territory gained in war 
The people wish at once to be divided ; 
Whereas the government, the managing partner. 
Having in view the joint stock interest, 
Would sell to the highest bidder, take the price 
And throw it into the general treasury. 



56 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS, 

Marceu<us. 
From whence they may supply themselves at leisure ! 

From your discourse I gather, gentlemen, 
That Rome's condition is a stirring theme ; 
Ivucilius, here, has made in rhythm and rhyme 
His diagnosis of the state of Rome. 
He'll read it to you. 

Voices. 

Read, Lucilius, read ! 

LucRinriA. 
Now shall we have a treat. 

FULVIA. {To LUCRETIA.) 

I've read his verse, 
But have not heard the poet give them voice. 

Luciuus. 

I would these words of mine, set down in love sincere. 

In every home in Rome would rouse a wholesome fear. 

{Reads.) 

Rome ! unapproachable Rome ! — but her citizens, how 
shall I name them? 

Nobles ignoble, unscrupulous rich, and a mob poor and 
mean! 

Hating each other all three, and all worthless alike, I 
proclaim them ! 

What would our forefathers say unto such a degenerate 
scene ? 

Where are the virtues once bred in thy vigorous off- 
spring, O Roman! 

Temperance, fortitude, frugal simplicity, hardihood — 
these. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 57 

These gave us Rome ! Look around for our city's most 
dangerous foeman : 

See the effeminate Hving a life of luxurious ease ! 

Gross superstitions grow rankly and govern the life of all 
classes : 

Even the wisest inquiring from ignorant knaves of their 
fate! 

Who in the city is greatest of any, in fame all surpasses ? 

Need I to name him? — that sharper in business, he truly 
is great! 

Wisely they chatter of art, knowing naught of the mean- 
ing of beauty ; 

Satisfied fully if pictures and statues are costly and rare : 

Glibly they gabble of law, that imposes so sacred a duty — 

Duty of saving the thief, if his ill-gotten gains he will 
share ! 

Greed most audacious, and fraud and impurity ever in- 
creasing ; 

Fed upon luxury, vice, ostentation, indulgence combined: 

Ravenous horde that now swarms o'er our country, to 
gorge without ceasing: 

Patrician and noble their names, but their deeds of the 
commonest kind. 

Army degenerate ; wars only waged as a safe speculation ; 

Since 'tis the weak that the Senate selects for our legions 
to fight; 

Italy forced to compete with the product of slaves' culti- 
vation ; 

Sadder fate still is that organized pillage, the provinces' 
plight. 

Feud of the poor and the rich even now the republic en- 
dangers : 

Deep discontent from aggression, oppression, from arro- 
gance, hate ; 



58 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS, 

Miserable slaves brooding vengeance, an army of menac- 
ing strangers — 

Romans, return to the ways of the Romans, before ^tis 
too late! 

Close in to 
Act II, Scene 3 ; in 2. Street in Rome. Entrance to a 
basilica. lews, Syrians, haruspices, augurs, 
tradesmen, doctors, are going in and coming out. 
Court is held within and mercantile affairs trans- 
acted. Beggars are standing near the entrance. 
Enter Metrophanes L. E.; comes to center. 

Metrophanes. (Solus, taking a coin out of his purse.) 
Whene'er upon this coin I chance 
The past o'erwhelms me at a glance. 

(Enter Lavinia, R. E.) 

Lavinia. 
Metrophanes, that man is wise 
Who counts his coin before he buys. (Points to basilica.) 

Metrophanes. 
With coin like this he surely should. 

Lavinia. 
Is it not a good one ? 

Metrophanes. 
Yes, too good ! 
Were all my money at an end. 
Even then this coin I would not spend ! 

Lavinia. 
Not spend it ? Tell me what you mean. 
For such a coin I've never seen. 
Mine fly, however I contrive. 
Have you had it long? 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 59 

Me;trophanes. 

Since I was five. 

Lavinia. 



And now you're several times that old: 
Ah ! there's a story to be told ! 

Mettrgphanes. 
The name of my first dwelling-place 
In memory has not left a trace, 
My father is a figure dim : 
Sword, shield, and helmet stand for him 
I neither sister knew or mother ; 
My memories all are of my brother. 
He was much older in my eyes, 
He seemed to be a man in size. 
And how he loved me ! It was he 
Who gave this precious coin to me. 
The day we parted years ago. 

Lavinia. 
And you have never spent it ? 

Metrophanes 



'Twas given with a parting vow 
To meet again somewhere, somehow 

Lavinia. 
What did he then? 

Metrophanes. 
He went away. 
And I've not seen him since that day. 

Lavinia. 
Perhaps you'll meet. 



No! 



6o TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Metrophaneis. 
I never doubt it ; 
I've woven a magic tale about it : 
{Shows couu) This woman, Roma, pictured here 
And capped with godhke warrior gear. 
Her power and knowledge both are great, 
She knows my brother's present fate ; 
But ere she wills to help me, asks 
Performance of some wondrous tasks. 
(Turns coin over.) These done (the gods assistance 

lend), 
Her Dioscuri will she send 
On horseback charging, as you see, 
To bring my brother back to me. 

Lavinia. 
How pretty ! Pity 'tis for you 
The magic story is not true ! 

Metrophane^. 
I'm on Lucilius's errand yet, 
Lavinia, but I'm glad we met. 
With you time swiftly flies away ; 
I wish that I could longer stay. (Going towards basilica.) 

Lavinia. 
Alone it then would have to be, 
Because Lucretia waits for me. 

(Going off L., when Porciatus enters R. B.) 

PoRCiATus. (Calling after her.) 
I say! 

Lavinia. (Aside.) 
I'll let the old fool bawl ! 



Is this not- 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 6i 

porciatus. 

Lavinia. 
Oh, no ! not at all ! 



PORCIATUS. 

Have I not seen you — 

Lavinia. 

Yes, good-by! 

PORCIATUS. 

I want to ask — 

Lavinia. 

Don't know ; not I ! 

Porciatus. 
If there's anything you've lost? 

Lavinia. 
My time ; I'll charge it up at cost ! 

Porciatus. 
Oh ! well, in that case never mind ! 
That's something that I didn't find. 
Excuse me. {Turns away.) 

Lavinia. 

Bothersome old thing! 

Porciatus. 
So then she did not lose this ring. 

Lavinia. 

Oh, say! I say! 

Porciatus. 
Well, say ! Say what ? 



62 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

Lavinia. 
You found my ring ! 

PORCIATUS. 

Well, I guess not! 
This handsome ring cost me good money : 
I'll look for yours. {Going off R. B.) 

Lavinia. {Going off L. B.) 

He thinks he's funny. 

PoRciATus. (Returning to centre: solus.) 
She's a little vixen, sure ! 
But cross-cut speeches I'll endure. 
Till by-and-by more sweet she grows. 
And kisses gives instead of blows — 
'Tis long a-coming, goodness knows ! 

{Bnter Metrophani^ from basilica.) 

Metrophanes. 
Ah ! Porciatus, where away ? 
What's the good word with you to-day? 

Porciatus. 
Metrophanes, 'tis in my debt ; 
For that's the word I didn't get ! 

Metrophanes. 
Not get it ! that is truly sad ! 

Porciatus. 
I still have hope, I ought to add. 

Metrophanes. 
To offer help would be absurd. 
Not knowing either woman or word. 

Porciatus. 
Thanks, all the same ; you're very kind ; 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 63 

But then you know a maiden's mind 
A dozen legions could not force ; 
So patience is my only course. 

Me^trgphanes. 
Has not this fever for a wife 
Attacked you rather late in life? 

PORCIATUS. 

Well, yes, a trifle late, 'tis true; 
Though I never shared old Cato's view : 
That mean and cynical old devil. 
Thought marriage was a needful evil, 
And heartily despised the sex — 
And yet his grown-up son would vex 
By playing lover to his slave. 
Like any common lustful knave. 

{Enter, L., Archii^aus^ a school teacher, who salutes 
PoRCiATus and then enters basilica.) 

Metrophanes. 
He looks a man of wit. 

PORCIATUS. 

A teacher he — and think of it ! 
There isn't a jockey in this place 
But makes more money in one race 
Than Archilaus in a year ! 



I must say 



Metrophanes. 
that sounds rather queer ! 



PORCIATUS. 

The reason for it soon is told : • 
The strange idea Romans hold. 
To teach is quite disgraceful — though 
What's taught is honorable to know ! 



64 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

{Enter Carbo, R., as enter Stilo, L., in white togas; 
they greet each other, then enter the basilica.) 

PORCIATUS. 

Their togas' color well denotes 
Stilo and Carbo seek for votes. 

Me;trophane:s. 
Election day is drawing near ; 
'Twill be a lively one, I hear. 
When Nasicans and Gracchans meet, 
Nobles or plebs will taste defeat. 

PORCIATUS. 

No wonder that they fear and hate 

Tiberius Gracchus, truly great, 

Who fights with cunning weapons, laws. 

In helping on the people's cause. 

The people who are left to starve. 

Being only fit for swords to carve. 

Metrophanes. 
Think you a tribune he'll be made ? 

PORCIATUS. 

I hope so, though I'm sore afraid : 
'Gainst power and money who can cope? 

Metrophanes. 
Tiberius Gracchus, let us hope ! 

(Noises heard off L. and R.) 

PORCIATUS. 

Ha ! hear the politicians shout : 
Both parties have their bullies out. 
When one is caught between two fires. 
He saves his courage and retires. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 65 

Let's slip inside and there keep mum, 

Until the storm is over — come ! 

{Bxeimt PoRCiATus and Metrophanes into basilica. 
Enter bullies L. and R. fighting; continuing 
across and exeunt nines, zvith cries and in up- 
roar.) Draw off to 

Act II, Scene 4; full. Campus Martius. Enter, L., 
Nasica, MeteIvIvUS, Macedonicus, Pompeius, 
and Luscus. They stop in C. 

Nasica. 
And is not Roman history simply this : 
The working up in one continuous story 
Of chronicles containing only doings 
Of these our families ? 

METEI.1.US. 
'Tis natural: 
Have we not held the public offices 
And had complete control of government? 

Nasica. 
The one grand family formed of the noble houses 
Govern the state through one great family council. 
'Twas the patricians' bounden duty ever 
Plebeians to protect and counsel give. 
Be unto them in all respects a father. 

POMPEIUS. 

It is the ideal state which you portray ; 

But since the great republic came to be, 

Two tempers coexist within it: 

That of the great and that of the people — ^these 

Like oil and water never merge in one. 

Nasica. 
True, and the struggle still is going on. 



66 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

But what exasperates me more than all, 

Is the rise of a class of renegades among us, 

Doubtless but few in number, but prolific 

And powerful for evil as we knew, 

When playing their chosen part of demagogue. 

Luscus. 
One of the number your young kinsman count, 
Tiberius Gracchus. 

Nasi c A. 
Sorry am I to say, 
He is the blackest renegade of all. 
Yet, think of his father, the censor, can you find 
Among the aristocrats of Rome 
One purer, prouder, haughtier than he ? 
And how tenaciously he ever clung 
To his hereditary privilege : 
Can you imagine him to quit his class ! 

Macedonicus. 
Suppose Tiberius is elected tribune, 
What think you, will he seize the public lands ? 

Nasica. 
He must not, shall not, have the chance to seize. 
The special fund subscribed for our defense 
Has been expended so judiciously 
The unbought voters never could elect him — 
Unless the farmers trudge to Rome to vote. 
*Tis well to keep in the cage of privacy 
So dangerous a citizen as he. 
No doubt the centuria prerogative 
Has crossed the bridge and waits within the septa 
Get each his tablet and help to kill 
The serpent in the egg ! 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 67 

Voices. 

We will ! We will ! 
(Bxeunt omnes, R. U. B. Enter L., Claudius, 
Crassus, Sa^voLA, Flaccus, Bi^ossius, L^lius 
and Luciuus.) 

Flaccus. 
The rich and poor are equals once a year 
Upon election day: the secret ballot 
Enables a man to promise as he must, 
While voting- under cover as he will : 
Outwitting thus the wily candidate 
Who stoops to coax, intimidate, or bribe. 

C1.AUDIUS. 
In coming hither have you noticed how 
Our rural brothers have invaded us ? 

SC^VOLA. 

This countrymen's invasion means success 

Unto Tiberius Gracchus ; helping him 

Outvote the venial city populace, 

Whose daily bread the upper class supplies. 

{Enter Mummius^ R., dressed as a candidate in a 
white toga, Lucilius goes tozmrd him, meet- 
ing him L. of C.) 

LuciLius. 
Your toga has told me the news in advance : 
You have taken a hand in our great game of chance. 
Called ''Running for office" ; you long to possess 
That coveted prize — and I wish you success ! 
Your dazzling white toga that rivets the gaze : 
Unlawful had been in your grandfathers' days : 
No candidate then durst appeal to the sight 
By making his toga too startlingly white. 



68 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

'Tis fitting that candidates innocence show 
By raiment that rivals in whiteness the snow. 
But when they quit office too often 'tis true, 
The white is transformed to a dull, muddy hue. 
While striving to make yourself one of the ten, 
Your days will be busy securing your men 
At public assemblies, in market, on street — 
Some openly purchase with money or meat ; 
Or bribe in more lawful and delicate ways, 
With sports for the populace, spectacles, plays ; 
Thus working and scheming from early till late — 
And all for the pleasure of serving the state ! 
Now serving the state in the good days of old, 
Meant citizens' duty, not paid for in gold. 
But now 'tis the height of the Roman's ambition. 
The means of attaining to wealth and position ; 
For there is the consul, with army for hand, 
He seizes rich booty and tracts of choice land ; 
For there is the magistrate piling up gold. 
Since most of his weighty decisions are sold ; 
For there is the censor, who labors with zest 
By the letting of contracts, to feather his nest — 
And even the senators, nobles indeed. 
They cannot restrain their insatiable greed. 
But you will be one in a thousand and one : 
Peculation, spoliation, and theft you will shun. 
Forbear with your pledges ! I know them by rote ! 
Besides, it is needless, I promise my vote. 

{Exeunt R. U. E. all but Fi^accus and Mummius. 
Enter L. Satureius, Ru^us and Annius.) 

Satureius. 
We are either late or early, as it seems. 
{To FivACCUS.) Ah! Flaccus, has Marcellus come? 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 69 

Flaccus, 

Not yet. 
He speaks a dozen places on his way. 

Annius. 
A friend like him is good for a thousand votes. 

{Bnter citizens R. and L. and gather in centre. Cheers 
heard off L. Bnter L. Marce;llus, followed by 
citizens.) 

MarcexIvUS. (To the people.) 
Good friends and fellow townsmen, one and all, 
We free men meet on this momentous day 
To exercise our highest privilege. 
The ballot, emblem of our sovereign will. 
August and solemn duty not to be done 
Carelessly, lightly, if you have at heart 
Our great republic's welfare. 

VOICKS. 

That we have. 

Marce:li.us. 
I know it well. Of all the candidates 
Who strenuously seek your suffrages, 
There's one who stands apart, pre-eminent ; 
One who deserves from us the very best — 
I mean, as well you know, Tiberius Gracchus. 

Voices. 
Worthy Tiberius! Noble Tiberius! 
Success unto Tiberius Gracchus ! 

Marcellus. 
He need not be described unto his friends, 
You know Tiberius well ; and yet 'tis pleasant 
Talking with friends about this friend of ours. 



70 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS, 

Who is Tiberius Gracchus ? let me ask. 

One of a most illustrious family, 

Whose fame was fixed a hundred years ago. 

He was with Scipio at the siege of Corinth, 

And first to scale the walls with Fannius. 

Let me recall the history of Mancinus, 

With whom the brave Numantians would not treat. 

Tiberius was his questor, him they knew 

Only as son of a Roman whom they trusted; 

And him they trusted. His negotiations 

Preserved the lives of twenty thousand Romans, 

And added lustre to his father's name. 

The Senate failed to ratify the peace, 

Thus with Numantia made ; which perfidy 

Enraged Tiberius, high-souled, generous man. 

Ay ! more ; for when Mancinus, stripped and bound, 

Was taken back into Numantia, 

The Senate meant to send Tiberius with him ! 

VOICDS. 
Shame on them! shame! O. brave Tiberius! 

Marce;li,us. 
They would reward him thus for valor in war 
Against our common country's enemies; 
For justness in the government of subjects; 
For care and industry in public office — 
Would you reward Tiberius Gracchus thus ? 

Voices. 
No ! never ! No ! We would not treat Tiberius so I 

MaRCEIvLUS. 

Then let your votes confirm your voices now. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 71 

Voices. 
My vote is his ! And mine ! And mine ! And mine ! 
I vote for the people's friend, Tiberius Gracchus ! 

Marcellus. 

Your words remind me of my journey hither: 

I saw a score of writings on the walls 

Calling for help unto Tiberius Gracchus, 

Help for the people's cause ; that cause is yours. 

You know your duty : make Tiberius tribune. 

Give to the poor a valiant champion ! 

{Murmurs of applause and expressions of assent. 
Enter L., all in white togas, Stii.0, Carbo^ Oc- 
TAvius and Gracchus. Cries for Gracchus to 
speak to them.) 

Gracchus. 
The gift which I solicit at your hands 
Will never give me happiness nor ease : 
It is the chance to be of service to you, 
Achieve a difficult task for Rome and Romans. 
Look 'round upon this city of ours and see 
A growing multitude of the very poor, 
A few of the very rich ; and what's the reason ? 
ril tell you in a word — 'tis slavery ! 
'Tis slavery that saps this life of ours, 
'Tis slavery is the source of our decay. 
But Rome is prosperous, say you ; so it is, 
But who are they that prosper, let me ask? 
Great profits go unto the rich that have. 
The freemen having nothing gaining naught. 
And thus prosperity is shared in Rome. 
Never at any time could Rome recruit 
Her legions from her citizens alone, 



72 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

But to her allies looks — and looks in vain 
Hereafter since her sole dependence fails — 
The farmer working hard and always poor, 
Through suffering and ejectment disappearing 
Before the greedy, grasping capitalist, 
He who with hordes of slaves is raising stock, 
Instead of wheat and barley — quite despising 
Unprofitable agriculture — 
The corner-stone of Rome's prosperity. 
And so, my fellow-citizens of Rome, 
Harken and hear my warning given again : 
Rome's danger lies in multiplying slaves. 
While worthy freemen daily disappear. 

Annius. {To whom Nasica has been whispering.) 
Well, tell us what's the remedy you'll use. 
If we should make a tribune of you now ? 

Gracchus. 
It is a problem difficult to solve : 
How help the poor free laborers on the land ; 
How help the class of small proprietors, 
Tilling the land by aid of wives and children, 
And raising soldiers for the Roman state? 

Annius. 
Again, the problem solve, Tiberius. 

Gracchus. 
There is but one solution I can see : 
Make me a tribune that I may restore 
The public land to its rightful owners, these : 
The landless, homeless, suffering Roman people! 

{In the uproar of applause and cries of approval, ex- 
eunt omnes to vote R. U. B., except Porciatus, 
who remains on.) 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 73 

PORCIATUS. {Solus.) 

Tiberius Gracchus, he is fine ! 

He stirs my blood Hke some old wine. 

To quit a station high, secure, 

In order to relieve the poor ! 

While nobles stand in rage and dread. 

And call down curses on his head ; 

For well they know that thoughts like these 

Will spread more quickly than disease. 

The end is something none can tell ; 

I hope the best and wish him well. 

{Enter R, U. E. Mktrophanes.) 

Metrophanks. 
Now that's a pretty game they play, 
{Jerking thumb over shoulder) I wish I were a cit to-day, 
No senator my vote could buy. 

PORCIATUS. 

Your price would then be monstrous high ! 

Metrophanes. 
To think that votes are bought and sold, 
Elections won and lost through gold ! 

Porciatus. 
I see you are a little wroth 
At what had made old Cato froth 
Like rabid dog 'till men would say : 
''The purest Roman of our day !" 
The purest bosh ! as I would prove : 
'Twould not be bribery would move 
The bile of Cato were he yonder, 
But just the money that they squander. 
For unto gold his soul he gave, 



74 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

And drudged a zealous, abject slave. 

{Shoutings and cheers heard off R. U. B.) 
I know the meaning of that sound : 
The battle's over, I'll be bound ! 

(Cries of ''Long live Tiberius Gracchus'' heard off 
the scene.) 

PORCIATUS. 

The news is here! 

Metrophanes. 

What's that they say? 
{Enter Omnes, R. U. E., surrounding Tiberius Grac- 
chus.) 

Voices. 
The Tribune Gracchus ! Hip ! Hurray ! 

Curtain. 

End oe Act H. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

ACT III. (January, B. C. 132— A. U. C, 621.) 

Scene I ; full. A room in the house of Nasica, looking 
into the peristylium. Accompanied vocal music 
is heard as the curtain rises. Lucretia is dis- 
covered seated, surrounded by her women, some 
with musical instruments. 

Lucretia. {Interrupting.) 
Enough ! enough ! It is too bright and gay : 
Sing something fitter for a pensive mood. 

Leader. 
A happy chance, and fortunate indeed ! 
With such a love song have we come prepared. 
All Pergamum and Athens sing the song. 
Whose words and melody are sweetly sad. 

Lucretia. 
I'll hear this famous masterpiece of song 
And learn its merits : sing it for me now. 

{The women sing "Love alas.") (Sapphics.) 

Love, alas ! made bitter as death the dreadful, 
Fills the yearning heart of the hapless maiden 
Loving well, yet harsh is the fate befalling — 
Hopelessly loves she. 

Oh ! the torture exquisite ! now her portion 
Fixed by fate implacable, not to wed him ! 
Not to have life's moments of joy and sorrow 
Shared by the loved one. 

All the sweet things in life to the senses bringing 
Wait unseen, half-heard at the inner portal, 

75 



^6 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

Wait on one o'erwhelmed by a dire misfortune, 
Numbing her heart-strings. 

Gone the bHthesome gladness in spring's awaking ; 
Gone the old-new wonder at summer's blooming ; 
Gone the matchless hues of the autumn's glory, 
Gone with her joy, gone ! 

So the seasons pass and the fourfold legend 
Charms not soul distraught with her own sad story : 
Hopeless love! dread fate of a soul self-stricken. 
Groping in darkness ! 

LUCREJTIA. 

Your pensive song is mournful, somber and sad. 
And stirs my pity for the sorrowful fate 
Of that forlorn, heartbroken sister-soul. 
You sang with proper feeling for the part, 
The words and music making well accord. 
To keep the feeling fresh, I'll hear no more : 
And so, with thanks, your singing now is over. 

{B.veunt, centre door, the singers.) 
(Solus.) How strange a thing it is when we are ill 
We meet so many fellow-sufferers 
I can no longer deem myself unique — 
There's naught unique ! My burden is belittled 
Knowing of others similarly laden. 
It wounds my proper self-esteem to know 
I'm merely one of a number in life's play, 
A chorus girl or dancer, as it were. 
Instead of standing alone in joy or sorrow. 

(Bnter centre door Lavinia, her maid.) 

Lavinia. {Aside.) 
If I were half as sad as she. 
Just one good cry would settle me. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 77 

LUCRETIA. 

I do not see my bracelet, how is that ? 
You do not mean to say it is not ready ? 

Lavinia. 
They're story-tellers, every one ; 
'Tis now to-morrow 'twill be done. 

LUCRE^TIA. 

'Tis always to-morrow with them; I suppose 

When Death knocks they will bid him call to-morrow ! 

Well, what's the news? 

Lavinia. 
Now, what's the news 
Before all others you would choose? 
Among my budget let me look — 
I've found it, lurking in a nook : 
I asked of Laura, on the way. 
Her master's health. 

LuCREfTlA. 

Ah ! tell me, pray ! 

Lavinia. 
The doctor passed his sentence grim. 
But now Marcellus laughs at him ; 
And tired of causing pain and sorrow, 
Expects to walk abroad to-morrow. 

LuCREfTlA. 

And is it known what made Marcellus ill? 

Lavinia. 
The doctor says long words about it, 
But that he knows, I strongly doubt it ; 
He talks of cramps within the brain. 



78 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

A sort of overthinking pain ; 
And not so sharp and not so fleeting 
As those that come from overeating. 
Although I know no doctors' trick, 
I know what made Marcellus sick ! 

LUCRETIA. 

Doctor Lavinia, tell me, if you please, 
In simple words that I can understand. 

Lavinia. 
He was poisoned. 

LUCRETIA. 

Ah ! poisoned, say you ? 
Lavinia. 

lucretia. 
That sounds a very Roman gossip's tale ! 
And have you chosen the poisoner? 

Lavinia. 

That I have. 

LUCRE-TIA. 

And will you tell me? 

Lavinia. 



Yes. 



That I will. 



The day before he was taken ill, 
Gracchus and him I saw together — 
They always seem tied to one tether— 
And three men followed, moving sly 
And as the villains passed me by 
I heard them plotting what to do. 
They were to overtake the tv/o, 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 79 

And then, as if no wrong was meant, 
To jostle them by accident ; 
And then by the confusion's aid 
To prick him with the poisoned blade. 

Lucre:tia. 
And was Marcellus wounded did they say? 

Lavinia. 
He would not give a second thought 
Unto the scratch that mischief wrought. 

LucRETiA. {Aside.) 
What could have been their motive? Has Marcellus 
Quarrelled with one now eager for his life? 

Lavinia. 
Now, there ! I most forgot to say, 
I met Octavius yesterday; 
'Twas just at dusk, and give a guess 
At who was with him? 



I cannot. 



LUCRETIA. 

I confess 

Lavinia. 

'Twas your father ! 

LUCRKTIA. 



Lavinia. 
That's something novel, is it not? 
Because upon his dinner list 
There's certain people I have missed, 
'Tis something they have said or done — 
I'm sure Octavius is one. 



What! 



8o TIBERIUS GRACCHUS, 

LucRETiA. (Aside.) 
'Tis true Octavius and Marcelltis, both, 
For giving aid and comfort unto Gracchus 
Forfeited father's favor ; then what means 
This reinstatement of Octavius ? 

{Enter centre door, Virginia and Octavius.) 

Lavinia. {Aside to Lucretia.) 
There's something in the wind, I know, 
Your father had him first in tow ; 
And now your mother lends a hand — 
And what it means I understand. 

{Exit Lavinia, R, E.) 

Virginia. 
We thought to find your father here, my daughter. 

Lucretia. 
Then let me make your disappointment brief ; 
I'll seek my father out and send him hither. 

Octavius. 
My coming is inopportune, indeed. 
To put you thus to flight. 

Lucretia. 

Oh, say not so; 
'Tis business with my father must not wait. 

Octavius. 
My business gladly waits upon your pleasure. 

Lucretia. {Going L.) 
Then 'tis my pleasure that it shall not wait. 

{Exit Lucretia, L. E.) 

Octavius. {Aside.) 
I would she were — at least, less courteous. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 8i 

Virginia. 
What thought you of the games ? 

Oct AVI us. 
I saw them not, 
I was prevented. 

Virginia. 

Not by sickness? 

Octavius. 



By business : certain public documents 
Demanding my attention kept me home. 

Virginia. 
Ah, there's the penalty one pays, you see, 
For being a public man, the city's servant : 
Your time is yours no longer. 

Octavius. 

True enough ; 
And that I sought the office knowing well 
Its onerous duties, equally is true. 

Virginia. 
I need not waste my pity on you ! 



Octavius. 



No! 



Virginia. 
Now that I come to think, we have not seen you 
Since Nasica secured the famous group. 

Octavius. 
The famous group of Apollonius 
And Tauriscus keenly whets my appetite, 



No! 



82 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS, 

Virginia. 
No ! no ! I mean Amphion, Zethus, and the rest. 

OCTAVIUS. 

Oh, those compose the figures of the group, 
I named the sculptors who created it. 

{Enter Nasica, L. E.) 

Virginia. 
Oh ! yes, and you shall see it ere you leave. 

OCTAVIUS. 

Nothing could please me better. 

Nasica. 

Ah ! I see ! 
You are being entertained with the famous group. 
I never saw her so delighted, never! 

Virginia. 
I let one glance at the famous group defend me 
From misplaced, undeserved extravagance. 
As well as from unwise enthusiasm. 

{Exit Virginia, L. E.) 

Nasica. 
Considering the cost in good sesteria 
It should indeed be fine. And let me claim 
A patriotic motive moving me 
To buy a work magnificent as that. 
And set it up within this city of ours, 
The home of matchless masterpieces. 

OCTAVIUS. 

Rome 
Already stands the world's great treasure-house. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 83 

Nasica. 
And what's the reason, think you ? Here in Rome 
There is a class conserves these precious treasures, 
A class select, with leisure and the means 
To make our city glorious ; 
And be that order broken, Rome will fall. 

Oct AVI us. 
It never will be broken ! 

Nasica. 
Be not sure : 
I note a growing spirit of discontent, 
Nerving to strike the hated nobles down. 

Oct A VI us. 
Ah ! yes ; I catch the meaning of your warning : 
You think the impending land law is the blow. 

Nasica. 
I know it ! Yes ; the land law is the weapon 
Chosen to strike us nobles down ; and with us 
Hurl Rome herself from off her pinnacle ! 

OCTAVIUS. 

You surely are mistaken. Gracchus says — 

Nasica. 
Speak not of him ! He is a demagogue ! 
A renegade ! And for the sake of Rome 
His land law must not pass — it shall not pass ! 

Oct A VI us. 
An able spokesman for the Senate, truly; 
But 'tis the tribunes make and pass the laws, 
And we are all agreed. 



84 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Nasica. 
Among the ten 
Is there not one amenable to reason? 
Not one to rise in righteous protest? one 
To Hft his voice in veto? Be that one, 
Octavius ! 

OCTAVIUS. 

What ! me ! Impossible ! 
Tiberius counts me friend. 

Nasica. 

And does not Rome? 

Octavius. 
The law seems just and proper. 

Nasica. 

Ay, you're right. 
It seems ; but what of that, when 'tis not so ? 

Octavius. 
The law exists, we merely would enforce it. 

Nasica. 
Only a quibble! Only a quibble, sir! 
This odious law will shake Rome to her centre, 
Her very life endanger — all for what? 
To bring about that direst end of all. 
The rabble's rule : a short and wretched rule, 
Lasting until our nearest enemy. 
Noting the golden opportunity. 
Descends triumphantly on Rome ! 

Octavius. 
And yet despite those dreadful consequences. 
The tribunes mean to pass this very law. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 85 

Nasica. 
Then Rome's salvation lies in one man's hands: 
That tribune who will interpose his veto, 
Save Rome, and thus immortalize himself. 
For such a man a grander victory waits 
Than ever sword achieved ; for such a service, 
A fit reward were difficult to find. 
Octavius, hear me ; such a noble man 
I would be proud indeed to call my son ! 

Octavius. {Aside.) 
His son ! Ah, yes ; I see his purpose now ! 

Nasica. 
Lucretia, there's a prize the noblest Roman 
Would risk his life to win — and will not you ? 
When I declined your marriage offer once, 
'Twas solely for the sake of Rome I did it. 
Rome's welfare rules me still : I offer you 
Lucretia as my personal reward. 
For signal service done in Rome's behalf. 

Octavius. 
Your offer is so strange, so unexpected, 
I am bewildered by it. 

Nasica. 
Think of it ! 
Magnificently paid for doing right ! 

Octavius. 
Ah ! could you once convince me right is wrong ! 

Nasica. 
Rather to prove right's right is my endeavor. 
Prove it to one the ablest of the ten. 



S6 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Whose wisdom, honor, innate sense of justice 
Emboldened me to bring him here to-day, 
To Hst to my appeal : come now and cross 
The peristylium to yonder room 
Where nothing will disturb our privacy. 

OcTAvius. {Aside, follozving Nasica.) 
Perhaps he's right ! If so — if so — Lucretia's mine ! 

{Exeunt Octavius and Nasica, centre door. Enter 
Lavinia R. E., carrying in an ornament.) 

Lavinia. {Solus.) 
The joyful throb, the painful smart, 
Depends on what you've set your heart. 
Now, as for me, I'd make no fuss 
If told to wed Octavius. 
He's just as good in every way 
As is Marcellus any day. 
Lucretia, though, is hard to please. 
Now, if it were Metrophanes 
And Porciatus — only think! 
I'd choose the right one in a wink ! 
Beware, Lucretia, beware ! 
There's trouble brewing in the air. 
Her father let her choose, and then, 
He promptly turns down both the men. 
Now, presto, will Octavius choose — 
The very one that she'll refuse ! 

{Enter Virginia, L. E.) 

Virginia. 
Go tell Lucretia I would see her here. 
And when your master leaves the red room yonder. 
Inform him where his wife and daughter wait. 

{Exit Lavinia, R. E.) 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 87 

(Solus.) Though 'twere not wise to let Lucretia choose, 

Less to withhold the husband of her choice, 

Yet choosing for her after all is worse. 

Octavius, being no fool, will gladly pay 

The trifling price that's set upon our daughteer. 

{Enter Lucre^tia, R. E.) 

Lucretia. 
You sent for me? 

Virginia. 

Who is it comes to-day? 

Lucre:tia. 
Why, Fulvia, as I told you. 

Virginia. 

So you did. 
Where is it that we go to-morrow? 

Lucretia. 



Well! 



You are forgetful! — unto Lelia's, 

You knew an hour ago. And is that all? 

Virginia. 
Are you so very busy now, my daughter? 

Lucretia. 

Virginia. 
Octavius, too, is busv. 



Yes. 



Lucretia. 
Virginia. 



Is he? 



Yes; 
'Twas public business made him miss the games. 



88 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

LUCRETIA. 

Indeed ! 

Virginia. 
He's quite ambitious, don't you think ? 

LUCRETIA. 

I never think about it. 

{Enter centre door Nasica, in great excitement.) 

Nasica. 
Good! Ha, ha! 
Gracchus is beaten ere a blow is struck. 
His bill is lost, although he knows it not. 

Virginia. 
But are you sure? You told me yesterday — 

Nasica. 
Oh ! yesterday is now an age away : 
Then I had only hopes of his defeat. 
To-day I prophesy it. 

Virginia. 

What has happened? 

Nasica. 
I can depend upon Octavius 
To interpose his veto. 

LUCRETIA. 

Why his veto ? 

Nasica. 
Why? — 'tis a monstrous, shameless robbery! 
Most infamous law that ever was proposed ! 

LUCRETIA. 

Was not Octavius with Marcellus joined 
In advocating this obnoxious law ? 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 89 

Nasica. 
Marcellus made himself a social outcast, 
Lost the esteem of all right-thinking men 
By glorifying Gracchus. Praise the gods, 
Marcellus is a simple citizen, 
While our Octavius a tribune is, 
With will and power to interpose a veto. 

LUCRDTIA. 

Why will he? 

Nasica. 
I've convinced him of his error ; 
Making it easy to reject the wishes 
Of one so soon to be related to him 
Closely as marriage to one's daughter, say. 

Virginia. {Aside,) 
I knew it ! 

LUCRETIA. 

No! 

Nasica. 
But, yes ; I've promised him, 
Lucretia for his wife. 

LUCRETIA. 

But you refused him. 

Nasica. 
Granted; but now I've willed to reconsider. 

LUCRETIA. 

I too refused, and have not reconsidered ! 

Nasica. 
What's that you say ? 



90 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

Virginia. 
Lucretia ! 

LUCR^TIA. 

I refuse! 
The right to choose for me you abdicated ; 
Turning my thoughts to marriage, giving rein 
Unto imagination, I have chosen ; 
My mind and soul are centred on my choice — 
Marcellus ! 

Nasica. 
Never ! He's a fool ! a fool ! 

Lucre:tia. 
And you would use your daughter as a bribe 
To change the other fool into a knave ! 

Nasica. 
I will not have my conduct scanned and questioned; 
Yours to obey, since I am satisfied. 
I've pledged my word unto Octavius. 
And now will bring him to his bride-elect, 
And so conduct yourself accordingly. 

Virginia. 
Oh, cease not being an obedient daughter. 

Lucretia. 
Unto to-day I was not even proud 
To know Octavius wished to marry me ; 
Now I despise him for his willingness 
To part, for gain, with self-respect and conscience ; 
Now do I hate him, since he comes between us. 
Me and Marcellus, husband of my choice. 
The only man whom I shall ever marry! 

Close in to 
Act III, Scene 2; in 2. Street in Rome. Porciatus' 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 91 

lodging house in the centre, with barber's shop 
and bookseller's shop R. and L. Bnter from the 
barber's shop, Satureius and RuFus. 

RuFus. 
And are you sure it was Octavius ? 

Satureius. 
I saw him plainly as I see yourself. 

RuFus. 
Not since that memorable dinner given Gracchus 
Has Nasica held the slightest intercourse 
With any one of the Gracchan party. 

Satureius. 

True. 

RuFus. 
And that is why your news bewilders me : 
Octavius leaving the house of Nasica ! 

{Bnter L. B. Octavius.) 
{Aside to Satureius.) The man himself to answer for 

himself. 
I'll question him and learn the meaning of it. 
{To Octavius.) I hope to see you well, Octavius. 

Octavius. 
Thanks, and the same good wish to both of you. 

Satureius. 
I saw you out of earshot yesterday ; 
When leaving Nasica's, you know. 

Octavius. {Going on.) 

Ah ! yes ! 
Is the barber busy now ? 



92 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

RUFUS. 

Is Nasica 
Bitter as ever against our Gracchan party ? 

OCTAVIUS. 

Temper at times o'ercomes the best of us; 
But Nasica's, though quick and violent, 
Passes and leaves him gentle as a maiden. 

Satureius. 
And with the land bill is he reconciled? 

Oct A VI us. 
Ah ! there he still is wroth — perhaps with reason. 
An honest difference of opinion, his; 
He thinks so deeply, and so keenly feels. 
And, after all, it is an open question. 
Only the most impartial can decide. 
And 'twere in us presumptuous arrogance 
To pass his cogent reasons lightly by. 

RuFus. 
Your mission to Nasica, may I ask. 
Was it to convert, or be converted, which ? 

OCTAVIUS. 

Though this be neither fitting time nor place — 
The barber waiting — yet, good friends of mine, 
'Tis proper you should know the news. 



RuFus and Satureius. 

OCTAVIUS. 

I asked of Nasica the greatest gift 

Of all that's his to give — his only daughter ; 

And wish me joy! for in the coming spring 



Yes! yes! 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 93 

I crave your presence when I wed Lucretia. 
And now farewell. 

(B^'it quickly into the barber's shop.) 

Satureius. {Calling after him, too late.) 

But stay a moment yet ! 

RuFus. 
So now we know the news ! What think you of it ? 

Satureius. 
Oh, g-ive me time to draw a breath or two. 

RuFus. 
Now what will Gracchus say! 

Satureius. 

What will he say? 
Ah, Nasica is cleverer than he. 
And what he cannot with sestertia buy, 
Then flesh and blood tempts flesh and blood to sell ! 

{Exeunt R. E. RuEus and Satureius. Enter, from 
the barber's shop, Luciuus, as, enter, L. B,, 
Marcus Tauriscus, a young man.) 

LuciEius. 
Ah, Marcus, what a happy look I see. 

Marcus. 
What wonder since I never was so happy. 
Our greatest lawyer, Mucins Scsevola, 
Within this very hour has promised to make 
A lawyer of me, if I study well. 
What think you of that, Lucilius ? 

LuciLius. 
Since you say you have decided what vocation to pursue,- 



94 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

That relieves me of a labor, — no need now to choose for 
you! 

You have formed your resolution, made, you say, your 
final choice; 

Then the news you tell me merely lets me sorrow or re- 
joice. 

Well I know ambitious Romans anxious only to succeed, 

Have two roads to gold and glory : stoutly fight or strong- 
ly plead. 

Either lawyer famed and courted; or a soldier feared, 
adored ; 

When with skill beyond their fellows, wagging tongue, 
or wielding sword. 

'Tis the tongue that you have chosen, whether wisely, 
time will tell. 

When prepared for any pleading, you are stocked with 
speech to sell. 

Speech to some brings only copper, spite of ring and 
claquers hired ; 

Others coin their speech in silver, by assured success in- 
spired. 

Shall your name be one in twenty — or a hundred, should 
I say? — 

On the lips of all the people, who besiege you night and 
day? 

Or one of the nine-and-ninety at whose mention none 
attends ; 

One who lives and dies obscurely, few his clients, poor 
his friends? 

Study well the part of pleader, failure comes if skill be 
lacked : 

Learn your lessons of the rhetor, first and foremost learn 
to act. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 95 

Cultivate imagination, conjure up pathetic scenes; 

For to capture wavering judges shedding tears may be 

the means. 
Do what needs to serve your cHent — who is always in 

the right; 
Keep success in your profession, clients, fame and fees 

in sight. 
Let me add a word of caution : be as zealous as you can 
As a lawyer, but, remember to conserve the moral man. 
Lawyer-like be proud of proving wrong is right, or right 

is wrong; 
But those morals of the Forum when you leave take not 

along. 
Dwell with vice, but cherish virtue ; is it not too much to 

ask? 
Live on law, yet honor justice — there (going R.) I'll 

leave you with your task! 

(Exit LuciLius R. B.) 

Marcus. 
He says good things, and gives me food for thought; 
And underneath there's that Lucilius vein, 
That seems to sap with artful solemn phrase 
The basis of my grand profession — law. 

{Exit Marcus into the barber's shop. Enter La- 
viNiA^ from bookseller's shop.) 

Lavinia. {Solus, opening book.) 
Now what does this Lucilius write 
That sets the people crazy quite ? 
Ten times Lucretia's sent me here 
To buy his books — it's mighty queer ! 

{Enter Metrophanks, L. E.) 



96 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Metrophanes. 
Your tasting honey, by your look, 
Within the beehive of a book. 

Lavinia. 
No, only smelling, if you please ; 
But could I read, Metrophanes, 
Why, then I'd very soon find out 
Just what this nonsense is about. 
Your master takes such pains to write. 
That gives my mistress such delight. 

Metrophanes. 
Then let me play at mother-bird 
And feed you morsels, word by word. 
(Reads) "Lavinia Warned!" 

Lavinia. 

That isn't so ! 

Metrophanes. 
Look there (points), the letter "V you know. 
(Reads.) "You think that flirting is such jolly fun, 
A ladylike and proper dissipation ; 
But 'tis a trick true modesty should shun. 
For flirting is a sham solicitation !" 

Lavinia. 
How can he say such dreadful things ! 

Metrophanes. 
I hope you do not find it stings ! 
(Reads.) "Discrimination." 
"To vaunt its perspicuity endangers not veracity ; 
But all would go for naught without the readers per- 
spicacity ; 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 97 

To claim it is perspicuous of course is not fallacious ; 
But after all the reader must himself be perspicacious." 

Lavinia. 
What's that? 

Metrophanes. 
Oh, that's his playful way 

To teach the proper word to say. 

(Reads.) 'What's Coming?" 

'What nervous energy we waste in waiting for the mor- 
row ! 

For some there are half wild with joy and some are 
steeped in sorrow: 

Whate'er the future has in store delighting or benumb- 
ing, 

There's one thing is as sure as death ; to wit : what's com- 
ing's coming!" 

There, I'll not steal another look: 

I hope your mistress likes the book. 

Lavinia. 
And so do I, but greatly fear 
That even this will fail to cheer. 

Metrophane^. 
Why, what's the matter? 

Lavinia. 
Everything ! 
She's to be married in the spring. 

Metrophanes. 
Well, expectation's cheering cup 
Should beat a book in livening up. 
And who's the fortunate noble, pray ? 



98 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Lavinia. 
Caius Octavius Crotus. 

Mi:trophani;s. 

Eh! 
With a rich and handsome man in view 
Why, she should jump for joy. 

Lavinia. 

That's true ; 
And yet you see she's got the bhies, 
Because her father let her choose. 

Metrophanes. 
And now she's sad and melancholy, — 
To let her choose was simply folly. 

(The bookseller appears in his doorway.) 
That silent monitor you see (points at bookseller) , 
Is by his presence warning me 
Time flies, and so, alas, must I. 
Good-by, Lavinia. (Going back.) 

Lavinia. 

Good-by. 
(Exit Metrophanes into bookseller's.) 
(Solus.) There's Porciatus, well! I never! (Looking 
off right.) 
(Enter Porcl\tus, R. £., intercepting Lavinia.) 

Porciatus. (Aside.) 
She's just as pretty and pert as ever! 
(Aloud.) I thought Metrophanes was here? 
Where is he ? 

Lavinia. (Looking up her sleeve, then shakes it.) 
You ! Come down ! That's queer ! 
You see he won't come down for me. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 99 

PORCIATUS. 

Then you'd better let him be. 
You're waiting for him all the same ! 

Lavinia. 
No; Porciatus is his name. 

PORCIATUS. 

You wait for me ! Oh, what delight ! 

Lavinia. 
I wait for you — to quit my sight ! 

Porciatus. 
That's very good ! — I mean for you. 

(Lavinia tries to pass.) 
Oh, stay another moment, do! 
Lavinia, why such eager haste? 
Though Laura's time, it runs to waste 
In what I think a scandalous way. 

Lavinia. 
Of Laura's time I've naught to say. 

Porciatus. 
Of course it's all the same to you ; 
But then she's wasting his time too. 

Lavinia. 
Who's time is his time, tell me? 

{He approaches mysteriously and offers to whisper 
in her ear, hut kisses it instead.) 

Ugh! 
That's horrid ! Worse than any bug ! 
Don't dare come near me any more ! 

Porciatus. (Going back.) 
Not even a name to whisper o'er ? 



100 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

(Lavinia. '{Calling after him.) 
You know just nothing, anyhow ! 

PoRCi ATus. ( Returning. ) 
If you would only listen, now. 

Lavinia. {Going R.) 
No, thank you ! No more bugs for me : 
Your manners, sir, are far too free. 

{Exit Lavinia R. E.) 

PoRCiATus. (Solus.) 
I did not say "Metrophanes," 
Though she may think so if she please. 
He's got a start of many a lap, 
And I deserve a handicap. 

{Exit PoRCiATus i7ito the boarding house. Scene 
closes. Draw off to 

Act III, ScE^NE 3. Campus Martins. The rostra. Pull 
set. Discover Satureius, Ru^us, Rubrius^ 
.Stii.0, Carbo^ and Annius. 

Stilo. 
Our comrades tarry, Carbo, how is that? 

Carbo. 
Perhaps preparing for the work before them. 

Annius. 
The tribunes hold a council, do they? 

i 

Ru^us. 

Yes; 
The most important council ever held. 

RUBRIUS. 

I most sincerely hope we be not rash. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. loi 

Satureius. 
Whithersoever Tiberius Gracchus leads, 
We vow to follow — pray he leads us right. 

{Unter Marcei.i.us, Mummius, and Octavius, R., 
and the other tribunes and citizens, L. B.) 

OCTAVIUS. 

Why should Tiberius take this thankless task 
Of righting wrongs — if wrongs indeed they be ? 

MARCEI.I.US. 

The people urge him, even by messages 
Written on walls and tombs and porticos. 
Calling on him to champion their cause ; 
Restore the public lands unto the poor. 

OCTAVIUS. 

Some say 'tis animosity inspires him. 

MUMMIUS. 

And justly so, as well the Senate knows: 
It had determined to return him stripped, 
Wtih his defeated general, Mancinus, 
Unto Numantia — base ingratitude! — 
Had not the tribunes firmly intervened. 
What wonder if Tiberius hates the Senate. 

OCTAVIUS. 

About this land bill Gracchus advocates, 
At first I thought it was a righteous measure, 
Worthy of my support, but closer study 
Given thereto assures me 'tis unwise. 

MaRCE^LIvUSw 

How so, since Gracchus wishes but to relieve 
The abject poverty of the common people ; 



102 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

He would restore the old Italian system 
Slave labor ruined, lay a fresh foundation 
Whereon to rear the welfare of the peasant, 
On which the welfare of our city rests. 

OCTAVIUS. 

Suppose the Gracchan bill becomes a law, 

How long a time — or should I say how short? — 

Before a few again would own the land? 

MUMMIUS. 

This law is framed expressly for the poor, 
For land allotments are not things of trade ; 
To sell or buy expressly is forbidden. 

OCTAVIUS. 

After so long enjoyment of estates 

Which these possessors stocked and planted well, 

'Twill not be just or easy to dislodge them. 

{Enter Crassus, Claudius, Sc^vola, Flaccus and 
Bivossius, R. E.) 

BivOSSius. {Speaking to those who come in with him.) 
One thing is sure, this bill Tiberius brings 
Alarms the holders of the public land, 
Yet be assured 'tis moderate and gentle. 
Seeing it is enacted 'gainst avarice 
And great oppression, since not punishing 
Possessors who transgress the written laws ; 
But pays them well to quit unlawful claims. 
Yet those of great estate, the moneyed men, 
Most bitterly denounce Tiberius. 

Crassus. 
Because his bill makes certain harsh demands: 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 103 

A title drawn directly from the state, 

Or proof that the land was never public land. 

Sc^voivA. 
The question is not, is it practical? 
But, is the law expedient and just? 

Flaccus. 
Tiberius so believes it, heart and soul ; 
Is most enthusiastic for his law, 
And is with indignation justly stirred 
At the greed of the ruling aristocracy. 
'Tis the Possessors' hope, I hear it whispered, 
To bribe a tribune to oppose the law — 
The bill can never pass if one opposes. 

{Enter, L. £., Nasica, Pompe:ius, Mace^donicus^ 
Me:te:i.i.us and Luscus.) 

Nasica. 
Is not the meeting of the tribunes called? 

RUBRIUS. 

We want one member — who is coming now. 

{Enter Gracchus, R. E., who takes his place an the 
platform among the others.) 

RuBRius. {To trihunes.) 
In special meeting are we here assembled, 
Called for a purpose you are well aware : 
To hear our worthy, gifted, fellow tribune, 
Tiberius Gracchus, unto him attend. 
He brings a most important bill before us: 
Redistribution of the public lands. 

(Gracchus mounts the rostrum.) 

Gracchus. 
My fellow tribunes, let me first rehearse 



104 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Familiar things, the background of the bill : 

When Rome by force of arms a people conquered, 

At once their cultivated lands were shared 

Among the colonists ; the waste land left 

Was his to use who paid a certain portion, 

A fifth or tenth of the produce. Public land 

From Rubrico to Macro can be found. 

And from Etruria and Picenum 

Unto Apulia. For centuries past 

The rights of rich and poor to the public lands 

Were equal; through those self-same centuries 

This public land, now grown a vast domain. 

Has been a sore contention 'tween the classes. 

This land was never either given nor sold. 

But ever was the Roman people's land, 

Which private persons, called Possessors, leased; 

A wretched system leading Rome to ruin: 

In breeding slaves, the while decreasing freemen ; 

Fostering vast estates, destroying small ones; 

Making of Italy a pasturage. 

And killing off its people. Crassus came, 

Now nigh upon four hundred years ago ; 

The first who tried to oust the rich Possesssors ; 

Hernici land proposing to divide 

'Mong plebs and Latini; and for reward 

Was charged with treason, wanting to be King, 

Tried and condemned, for safety put to death. 

Then came a respite of a hundred years. 

Until was passed Licinius Stole's law 

To limit public land a man might hold : 

Five hundred acres each. But soon the rich 

Found ways and means by which to evade the law, 

And soon absorbed the holdings of the poor. 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 105 

Through wilUng dummies, or fictitious names; 
Or when a wretch, insatiate as death. 
Decided to enclose ten thousand acres, 
By force or trick he turned the owners out ; 
Or by ill usage did so harass them 
That they were glad to sell their little farms. 
These high-born land-sharks, thus engorged, slept on 
Quite undisturbed until our generation. 
When rose one voice demanding they disgorge. 
But Lselius desisted, sore afraid 
Of bloody civil war these nobles threatened. 
And now the rich Possessors safely deem 
That public land is private property. 
Think of the use they make of the public land : 
The founders of Rome, the shepherds, taught their chil- 
dren 
To cultivate the land, this very land 
Degenerate descendants turn to pastures ; 
Caring or knowing not if feeding beasts 
And agriculture differ, so it pays ! 
Even greater ill have these Possessors done : 
They have overrun our Roman territory 
With hordes of slaves, twice profitable : 
Their unpaid labor, their natural increase, since 
These slaves are free from military service. 
These slaves are never faithful to their masters, 
Are useless unto Rome, a menace to her. 
Remember the many wars which we have waged 
Against rebellious slaves; protracted wars, 
Full of vicissitudes and deadly dangers. 
Remember the while our sturdy yeomen's bones 
On bloody battlefields are whitening. 
Slaves fill their places, tilling the fields in chains, 



io6 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

In barn-like barracks herded worse than cattle. 

Who reap the fruit of conquests? Nobles only, 

Since Roman victories bring plebeians 

Poverty, taxes, military service. 

Harken and hear in time the plea of the poor : 

Borne down by cruel, crushing poverty. 

How can they rear their little families ? 

Their share of the public land is yet withheld — 

The very land they conquered years ago ! 

They find their places filled by foreign slaves ; 

While they, good citizens and soldiers starve. 

See Italy's beasts in dens and caverns housed, 

While unprotected, roofless, shelterless, 

Poor citizens must face the scorching heat, 

The piercing cold, the fierce death-dealing tempest ; 

Having no fixed abode but forced to wander, 

Miserable exiles in their native land. 

Called lords and masters of the universe — 

What lords? What masters? Owning not 

Enough of ground to serve them as a grave ! 

The people cry to us for justice — heed them ! 

Restore their own, the rich are holding gratis. 

The people cry for land, and land we have. 

Vast areas of land belonging to them ; 

Let Rome resume the common people's land. 

And share it then among the common people ! 

(Gracchus hands parchment to Rubrius. Applause 
from tribunes and citizens, and murmurs of dis- 
approbation from the senators.) 
Nasica. 

It has been well and truly said, indeed, 

The land this bill would rigidly apportion 

In actual fact is private property : 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 107 

It has been tilled and dwellings built upon it, 
Ancestors' graves have sanctified it, 
Wives' doweries have upon it been expended, 
And many money-lenders now can show 
The loans they made on this security. 

POMPEIUS. 

Ay, there it is, you see, this public land 
Is held by such complexity of title. 

Mace^donicus. 
Certain large areas of the public land 
The State might rightly, easily resume — 
Although I very greatly doubt the wisdom — 
But first to solve this problem : how distinguish 
Public and private land long merged in one? 

Nasica. 
When this absurd Licinian law was passed. 
Five hundred acres was a goodly sum ; 
Now to our nobles 'tis but beggary. 
The non-observance of this ancient law 
Has turned state lands to private property. 
By purchase, gift, and mortgage ; therefore, now 
To pass this bill is simply confiscation. 
Neglect repealed the old Licinian law ; 
Neglect, when long continued, is an act 
Abolishing existing law as surely 
As legislation has established it. 

Min'E^Li.us. 
Nasica's right ; disuse can kill a law. 
This bill would make alive a law defunct 
The last two hundred years. 



io8 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Nasica. 
Ambitious men 
Propose such laws for notoriety; 
Use public property to bribe the voters — 
Demagogue's sop tossed to a city mob, 
To pass a bill to plunder honest men. 
Why redivide the land ? — 'tis but a scheme 
Whereby to overthrow the government, 
Bring all things in confusion — that's the plan. 

POMPEIUS. 

For the steady hand of a master substitute 
The feeble violence of democracy. 

Macedonicus. 
What's to be done with all these slaves of ours, 
Whose labor carried agriculture on? 

Nasica. 
Tiberius Gracchus gives the startling answer: 
Liberate all the multitude of slaves 
And tell them to hereafter work for wages, 
Which former masters will be glad to pay ! 
But we, who have escaped this Gracchan frenzy. 
Know well what slaves are: barbarous, rude; 
Accustomed to hard treatment ; kept at work 
By plentiful blows and chains — and such the men 
This pestilent law would change to citizens ! 
Rather 'twill start a servile insurrection 
And deluge the land of Italy with blood. 

(RuBRius gives the clerk the hill to read.) 

Gracchus. 
Let the bill be read ! 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 109 

OcTAVius. {Rising up.) 
A moment, I would speak. 
My eager fellow tribune's sole desire 
To make this bill a law has blinded him ; 
He heeds not what lies waiting in his path ; 
For 'tis a dangerous revolution he attempts: 
Disturbing these Possessors of the land, 
Accustomed to consider it their own. 
The measure he proposes calls in question 
All titles unto land. It is a scheme 
Unwise, unjust, unpracticable quite; 
And therefore I object! (Seats himself.) 

(Applause and murmurs,) 

Gracchus. 

Octavius ! 
Of all the tribunes you, Octavius ! 
It cannot be that you are loath to join us 
Because of land that you must need relinquish? 
If it be so, why then I'll pay your loss 
From mine own pocket, freely ! 



Octavius. 

RUBRIUS. 

He clearly acts within his legal right. 



I object! 



Gracchus. 
It is a right most odiously used. 
But stay ! I'll match it with another right, 
Most fortunately mine: he must recede. 
Else I forbid all magistrates to act 
Until the people vote upon the bill ; 
And I will seal the temple Saturn, too. 



no TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

So quaestors shall no money take therefrom 
Nor pay therein: thus pubHc business stops. 
So let the bill be read. 

OCTAVIUS. 

I still object! 
Gracchus. 
Since custom says no bill shall be proposed 
If but one tribune rises to forbid ; 
And since Octavius chooses to oppose, 
Why should I not submit? For weighty reasons: 
The tribuneship, what is it ? 'Tis an office 
Created to redress the people's grievance. 
The tribune who with fixed determination 
Forsakes his solemn duty, has destroyed 
The very basis of his tribunate. 
Come, let us make appeal unto the people. 
Which of us acts more contrary to their cause, 
And let the people judge who failed in duty, 
And who abused his right of opposition ; 
And let that tribune be at once deposed: 
Octavius, are you willing to abide 
The people's verdict? 

Octavius. 

No; I am not wilHng. 

Gracchus. 
Then you are self-convicted. Hear me now : 
Why do the people choose a tribune, pray? 
To save them from patricians' tyranny. 
To help them to defend endangered rights; 
And he is only sacred as a tribune 
Serving the people. When Octavius, 
The people's advocate, the counterpoise 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. m 

Unto the power of aristocracy, 

Openly sides with the peoples' enemies, 

He violates his duty as a tribune 

In theory and in practice. 'Tis the same 

As though we should permit a magistrate 

Constitutionally to ruin the constitution. 

And shall the people's tribune stand in the way 

Of the commonwealth's regeneration? No! 

And so I make appeal unto the tribes, 

Depose Octavius who defies your will 

And cares not for your dire necessities! 

(Commotion. The tribes vote on the deposition of 

Octavius. When the seventeenth tribe had 

voted to depose, then) 

Gracchus. {Embracing Octavius.) 
Do not oppose this necessary measure 
So needful to the welfare of the state. 
Oh, do not thwart the people's hearts' desire, 
When 'tis a tribune's duty to promote it. 
Be not indifferent to the impending vote 
Depriving you of office ; suffer not 
Yourself to bear the shame of deposition 
And force upon me such unwelcomed fame 
As author of so odious a measure. 
Come, Octavius, let the bill be read ! 

(Octavius wavers, but voices from the senators and 

rich men warn him to stand firm, to do the right, 

and the like.) 

Octavius. {Resolutely.) 
Proceed with the vote ! 

{The eighteenth tribe votes for deposition. Oc- 



-112 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

TAVius is dragged from the rostraj and the sena-' 
tors' party start an uproar.) 

Gracchus. 

Now let the bill be read ! 
{As the clerk rises the curtain falls on Act III of 
Tiberius Gracchus.) 



ACT IV. (April, B. C, 132— A. U. C, 621.) 

Sce;ne I. Pull The Forum. At the rise of the curtain 
there are discovered Satureius, Ru^us^ An- 
Nius, RuBRius, MuMMius, Flaccus, CarbOj 
Stilo, Blossius, and other citizens. 

Blossius. 
It is within the province of the state 
Our habits, trade and prices to control. 
To regulate the Roman family life, 
To govern and dispose of property — 
Because it is its business to secure 
The well being of the Roman citizen. 
The land law therefore is in perfect keeping 
The duty of the state. 

{Enter R. B. Ci^audius, Sc.^vola, and Crassus.) 

Flaccus. 
Especially so 
Since every Roman took what land he could, 
And always more than he had means to use. 

Claudius. 
So long a time has passed since Italy 
By Rome was conquered and its land acquired, 
Possessions are of ancient origin ; 
So we commissioners have an arduous task 
Determining what is truly public land. 

Sc^VOIvA. 

There will indeed be trouble for you three, 
In taking their possessions from the rich : 
Some careless owners having never kept 
Allotment titles ; then a resurveyal 
Transferring some from richest lands to swamps. 

113 



114 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Others have worked adjoining public lands 
Until division has been long effaced. 
Not easy now to ascertain and fix 
The great injustice done us by the rich. 

Flaccus. 
To Claudius and the Gracchi has been given 
A difficult task in portioning out the land. 

Mum MI us. 
The Senate makes their difficulties greater, 
Under advice of Nasica refusing 
Tiberius Gracchus, as commissioner, 
A tent at the public cost ; allowing him 
But six sesteria daily for expenses. 

Sc^voi^A. 
The plebs and Senate always were at strife : 
Electing magistrates, enacting laws, 
Canceling debts, or else dividing land. 

Flaccus. 
The angry Senate should remember this: 
Tiberius Gracchus is at least consistent, 
Giving a portion of his patrimony 
To benefit a class believed to be 
Unworthy of relief or independence. 

Sature^ius. 
To say the least 'tis strange, unusual, 
The reckless way Tiberius Gracchus acts: 
The hope to be a consul or a prsetor 
Makes tribunes most conservative of men. 

RuFus. 
The weak spot in the Gracchan armor is, 
A woeful lack of plain, material strength. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 115 

Bivossius. 
'Tis due to taking models, trusting doctrines 
Drawn from the Greeks, which prompt Tiberius, 
In calm defence of our Roman trait — 
Conservatism, oftener wrong than right — 
To build the state upon a new foundation. 
This all un-Roman idealty 
Tiberius owes unto Cornelia, 
High-souled, high-minded mother of the Gracchi. 

Sc^voLA. 
Not from his father does the impulse come ; 
His father was a stern conservative, 
The last to tamper with the ancient basis ' 

Whereon was reared the greatness of his class. 
The aristocracy. 

Bu)SSius. 
The very man ! 
'Tis truly from his mother he inherits 
A sensitive nature, ideal way of thinking, 
Sympathy with the weak and sufifering 
Which animates his present public acts. 

(Enter, L. E., Nasica, Mitteli^us, Mace:donicus, 
PoMPEius, Luscus, and Lucir^ius.) 

Nasica. 
What paragon is that? 

B1.0SSIUS. 

Tiberius Gracchus ! 

Metei^IvUS. 
Humph ! When his worthy father was the censor 
Lights were put out betimes, as well we know ; 
Now needy citizens with flaring torches 
Attend at night his democratic son! 



ii6 TIB mi US GRACCHUS, 

POMPEIUS. 

Ay, wait until his tribuneship is ended. 
Then will he face a righteous prosecution. 

Nasica. 
How can the citizens be so deceived ? 
How can they fail to recognize in Gracchus 
A deep and cunning arch-conspirator 
Who would destroy our precious liberty 
Under the specious pretext of relieving 
Distress and poverty — and all the while 
Aiming to make himself supreme dictator. 

F1.ACCUS. (To MUMMIUS.) 

The charge of usurpation, glibly made, 
A mean and vile insinuation may be, 
The usual way to ruin popular leaders. 

Nasica. 
He is a dangerous revolutionist, 
Influenced by his passion and ambition. 
Rather than by the welfare of the state. 

MUMMIUS. (To F1.ACCUS.) 

His generous plan in aid of Italy, 

His artful enemies will turn against him. 

He'll find himself unpopular in Rome. 

RUBRIUS. 

The deposition of Octavius 

Appears to have given offense unto the people. 

POMPEIUS. 

It was a revolutionary step 
Appealing to the people to depose 
A fellow tribune. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 117 

SC^VOI^A. 

Offering to vote 
Which should resign, Octavius or he, 
The weak proposal of a generous man, 
Whose aim was not self-aggrandizement, but 
The public good. 

Me:tei.IvUS. 
By aid of a popular vote 
The Roman constitution is attacked, 
A fundamental principle destroyed. 

FlvACCUS. 

Too much is made of the tribune's sanctity. 
And the constitution's violated forms — 
These forms are now effete. 

Nasica. 
Tiberius took 
The first step toward the overthrow of Rome, 
He stripped a Roman magistrate of office 
By vote of the people. 

Luscus. 
'Twas preposterous ! 
Never before the Roman people dared 
Deprive a man of office given to him 
To hold for a certain tenure, during which 
He stood apart responsible to none — 
When then the right to wrest from him his office ? 

Sci^VQLA. 

Confuse not thus the office with the man. 
Appointment to an office is an act 
Apart from the other, earlier act, by which 
The office was created. 



ii8 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Flaccus. 
After all, 
Remember, 'tis not always criminal 
To forcibly infringe the written law. 

Nasica. 
From consecrated law the tribune's power 
Directly is derived ; which law was made 
Upon the holy mountain sanctified 
By ceremonies set by holy men ; 
And so to set aside the tribune's veto. 
Given in opposition to his fellows 
And to depose him, injured each of us 
Directly, leaving us without defense 
Against the worst and wildest tyranny 
Our popular assembly might commit. 
Impelled thereto by frenzied orators, 
Who violate the letter of the law. 

Luciuus. 
( Hendecasyllabics. ) 
Gracchus erred in the way he took to oust him : 
Legal means are the popular Roman method. 
Therefore, should he have found a flaw sufficient. 
Marring quite the religious ceremony 
Of election or entry into office: 
Thus Octavius having wrongly entered. 
Law demands he be driven out of office : 
Gracchus thus had appeased the Roman conscience, 
Saved from a jar in a proper legal manner. 
Ah, the law! is it not consummate wisdom! 
Rights and duties with scrupulous exactness 
Accurately, minutely, specifying. 
Ah, the law ! the devine and civil systems, 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 119 

Marvels both of severe and perfect order, 
Ever unto fixed formulae deferring ; 
Ever fearful of change ; and yet, more marvel ! 
Note hov^ easily by mere interpretation. 
Legal fiction and what not, law is tempered, 
Altered, may be annulled — for human victims. 
Heads of onions or poppies substituted ! 
Thus the image we worship sways its scepter, 
We, its loyal and legal subjects, humbly kneeling, 
Laud its majesty, while revolving meanwhile 
Means for keeping intact the holy letter. 
While conspiring to oust some fractious fellow, 
Called Octavius, say : oh, lawless Gracchus ! 

{Enter Gracchus, R. E., in time to hear the last 
tzvo lines. 

Gracchus. 
From your conclusion, Friend Lucilius, 
I follow back the old well-beaten path. 
And reach your premiss in the lawless Gracchus. 
I disregard your gentle irony 

And choose to take your words with single meaning: 
By lawless means I oust a fractious fellow. 
I've heard men make that charge beneath their breath. 
I could not make an answer unto each. 
But offer now this general defense. 
To fellow citizens who feel aggrieved: 
Because I have not grown so high and mighty 
As to disdain to justify my conduct. 
Had my accounts been questioned, never had I 
Played Scipio's part and torn them up before you : 
So let me ask attention now, my friends. 

Nasica. 
He would make order out of anarchy ; 
And liberty of license : hearken well ! 



I20 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Gracchus. 
What makes a tribune sacred, inviolable ? 
Being dedicated to the people. Should a tribune 
Deviate from his duty, wrong the people, 
Abridge their power, and lessen liberty, 
His very act deprives him of his rank. 
Received upon conditions unfulfilled. 
A tribune will remain a tribune still, 
Even if he should dig down the capital 
And put to torch the naval arsenal. 
Should he commit excesses such as these, 
Bad tribune he ; but were he to attempt 
To rob the Roman people of their power. 
He ceases in the act to be a tribune. 
Now, is it not a monstrous thing to think 
A tribune shall have power to cast in prison 
Consuls, and yet the people not be able 
To wrest from him a power which he abuses ? 
Using it 'gainst the people's interests. 
The kingly office comprehended in it 
All civil power, while 'twas consecrated 
Unto divinity, discharging rites 
And ceremonials of our religion ; 
Yet when Tarquinius the King did wrong, 
The state laid hold of him and thrust him forth: 
So one man's violence thus overthrew 
The ancient power which established Rome. 
Look around you here in Rome, and who so sacred, 
So venerated as the virgins are. 
Who daily guard the ever-burning fire ? 
And yet should one offend, she's buried alive ; 
For when she sins against the jealous gods 
Inviolable sanctity is gone. 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 131 

So must it be with the sacredness of tribunes, 
Who turn their power to the people's injury, 
Betraying those whose duty 'twas to shield ; 
Destroying thus their very fount of power. 
Else when the rich has found a way to use him. 
The tribune is no longer guardian 
And refuge of the poor. Now if the tribes 
By vote conferred the tribunician power, 
As easily by vote may they depose, 
Things dedicated to the gods are sacred. 
Inviolable, yet the people use them, 
Changing their places here and there at will ; 
Therefore, 'tis right and legal for the people 
To transfer thus this sacred thing, 
The tribunate from one man to another; 
For that the tribunate is not an office 
Of which the holder may not be divested 
Is seen in this most clearly: magistrates 
Have prayed to be excused from holding office, 
Have abdicated of their own free will. 
To bring this problem down to lowest terms : 
All power proceeds directly from the people 
In whom all power inheres ; the people choose 
To delegate their powers to him to-day 
And to deprive him of his power to-morrow; 
Whether he used his power right or wrong 
^Tis for his judge, the people, to decide. 

Close in to 

Act IV, Scene 2 ; in 2. Bntrance to the house of Grac- 
chus. On the left hand of the entrance is a 
potter's shop, and on the right hand a shoe- 
maker's shop. Enter from house, Lucilius, as 
enter, R. B., Flaccus and Mummius. 



122 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Flaccus. 
Well met, Lucilius ; our errand the same ? 

Luciuus. 
If 'tis to see Tiberius Gracchus, yes ; 
But go no farther, since he is away, 
And will be for another hour or so. 

MUMMIUS. 

I was afraid Tiberius would be gone. 

Flaccus. 
Come spend the time with us Lucilius, 
Until our friend Tiberius returns. 

{Enter L. E. two men, one richly dressed, the other 
following him obsequiously. They cross to R» 
and exeunt R. E. They have spoken to the three 
in passing.) 

Lucilius. (Pointing after than.) 
Caius courts the wealthy Numa, who is neither kith nor 

kin; 
By persistent artful scheming, hopes a legacy to win. 
Humoring his whims and fancies, gushing o'er his poetry, 
Running errands like a lackey, late or early though it be. 
Never missing an occasion when a present he may buy. 
Praying for his health and safety, while he waits for him 

to die ! 

MUMMIUS. 

His patron's weaknesses he has discovered 
And gratifies his patron's whims to-day. 
That he may gratify his own to-morrow. 

Flaccus. 
This worshipper unto the altar comes; 
But other rich men spend their time and money 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 123 

Recruiting men to praise and honor them. 

How artful, how adroit their means and schemes. 

LuciLius. 
Glorifying self is all the fashion, 
Nobles are consuming with conceit, 
Vanity their all absorbing passion ; 
Plaudits of the people are so sweet. 
Nobles musty documents are flaunting ; 
Efigies are showing bent and black ; 
Of fictitious pedigrees are vaunting — 
Even to Olympus reaching back ! 
Victory by base assassination. 
Massacre in spite of solemn vow; 
Conduct only worthy execration. 
Though it win sham laurels for their brow, 
Though it give a pretext for enjoying 
Triumphs for some miserable raid : 
Armless, naked savages destroying; 
Bargains in war's nimble-fingered trade! 

FivACCUS. 

You've hit it off unto a nicety. 
I've known of costly temples built in proof 
Of victories never gained. It nauseates me 
To see on solemn days, thanksgiving days, 
Their bold parade of pride, self-glorification. 

{Enter Dr. Praxus, crosses from R. to L., greeting 
the others as he passes. ) 

LuciLius. (Pomting after Dr. Praxus.) 
Ah ! there goes Dr. What's-his-name, a palace he in- 
habits ; 
While we the people are to him, so many frogs and rab- 
bits: 



124 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

He cuts us up, he cuts us down, and is to fear a stranger — 

His calling gives the right to kill, without the slightest 
danger, 

His Hippocratic oath he keeps — in some dark corner hid- 
den; 

So knows not whether what he does is by the code for- 
bidden. 

Though knowledge may be good to have, and by the 
workman needed, 

'Tis plain in spite of want of it the doctor has succeeded. 

Effrontery and good address his lack of skill supplying; 

He treads a golden way between the living and the dying ! 

Flaccus. 
Come now and let us find material 
Wherewith to fix these facts and fancies, so 
Hereafter Rome may read, Lucilius. 

(Exeunt Omnes, R. E. Enter L. E. Porciatus and 
Mettrophane^s.) 

Porciatus. 
I am that relic without a rival, 
A veteran scarred, a grim survival. 
A slave whom Cato couldn't kill. 
So, fit to conquer any ill. 
For Cato's virtues all were vile, 
His milk of human kindness, bile ; 
His slaves must his great maxim keep : 
To be at work or else asleep. 
And such his avaricious ways. 
He found them work on holidays, 
And were they sick they got a beating 
Since they were ill from overeating. 
When matched with him, a tiger's tame. 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 125 

Cato, the censor, quick to blame, 
Who should have died himself of shame ! 
Now somewhat of my life I gave, 
When I was mean old Cato's slave. 

Metrophanes. 
I now can understand the reason, 
For curses in and out of season 
That follow Cato past his grave. 
From one who once was Cato's slave. 
Another day I would be told 
Your early life ere you were sold. 

PORCIATUS. 

Most willingly I'll tell the tale. 
If confidence of mine prevail 
To breed like confidence in you. 

Metrophanes. 
Nothing will please me more 'tis true, 
To tell such story as I may, 
But time will not permit to-day. 

PORCIATUS. 

Remember, then, when next we meet, 
And be it not on city street. 
But call upon me where I dwell 
And talk at ease. 

Metrophanes. 
Farewell ! 

PORCIATUS. 

Farewell ! 
(Exit Metrophanes info the shoemake/s.) 
(Solus.) Now, I am not a simpleton. 
Unbosoming myself to one 



126 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

I know so little of, although 
I am attracted to him so. 
And he is drawn to me I know. 

(Exit PORCIATUS, R. B.) 

Draw off to 
Act IV, Scene 3. Room in the house of Gil\cchus. 
Discover Claudia and Licinia^ the wives of 
Tiberius and his brother Caius. 

LiCINIA. 

Now Claudia, were your husband like to mine, 
In front of a town besieged, exposed to death 
At any hour of the day, why, then I grant you 
Good reason to be fearful for his life. 
But what's the danger threats Tiberius? 

Claudia. 
Caius knows where to look for enemies. 
Is ever on the alert while facing walls ; 
Thus danger is avoided, but his brother, 
Estranged from friends in midst of enemies. 
Whom knowing not he cannot guard against. 
Makes my fate sad. 

LiCINIA. 

More pitiable mine ; 
For while your husband is at home beside you. 
Mine is away on dangerous duty, yet. 
There let him stay until his task be done. 

{Enter, centre door, Cornelia and her two grand- 
children.) 

Cornelia. 
What sober, serious countenances these ! 
To what decision have you consuls come? 
Where next shall Rome's victorious legions go? 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 127 

LiCINIA. 

We were discussing husbands, sons of yours. 
CORNEUA. 

Then should your faces have reflected now 
The exultant light that flashes from my jewels. 

Claudia. 
Is it not rash in one so young as he, 
Tiberius, beginning his career, 
To thus give way unto enthusiasm, 
Let any cause breed confidence so great 
As to confound the plainest common sense, 
And lead him now to single-handed make 
A struggle hard, tremendous, formidable. 
Against the nobles ; this has frightened me. 

Cornelia. 
You should be glad that all these things are so : 
Take heart instead : thereby Tiberius 
Is loved by the common people as none other. 
There waited for him power, wealth, and rank 
Civil' and military, as by birth ; 
Now were he governed by a selfish impulse 
Would he have championed the people's cause ? 

Claudia. 
Admit it ; yet foolhardy 'tis in him 
In face of unexampled obstacles 
To undertake a truly hopeless task: 
To threaten to lay low with one grand stroke 
The stronghold of the proud and haughty nobles. 
Will they not call Tiberius a fool. 
Rushing where Laelius the wise dare tread not? 



128 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

CORNEUA. 

My son upholds the right and faces wrong. 

He feels his righteous indignation kindle 

At the sight of the nobles' pride, their insolence, 

And wanton cruelty that fosters war, 

Whereby to gather riches faster far 

Than by old-fashioned agriculture's aid. 

LiCINIA. 

Let not Tiberius look to Scipio 

To lift the littlest finger in his cause. 

Cornelia. 
The aristocrat of all aristocrats 
This son-in-law of mine; yet, if he thought 
Reform would lengthen out his order's reign, 
He'd turn reformer ! — such is Scipio. 

[Enter Marcellus, Claudius, Crassus, and Blos- 
sius, door in centre.) 

Claudia. 
Tiberius bade me tell you gentlemen, 
That urgent business called him out to-day ; 
But shall not let him overstay your visit ; 
Therefore expect to see him presently. 

Cornelia. 
How feel the populace toward Tiberius? 
Your many means of knowing are denied me. 

Claudius. 
Tiberius has gained the popular favor 
And weakened the Senate : he's inspired, some say 
By gratitude unto his friends, the tribunes. 
And animosity against the Senate ; 
Then others say, Tiberius dwelt too long 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 129 

Upon the evils of the slavery system ; 
Others, accounting for his actions, say 
'Tis personal predilection governs him 
Or widespread popularity allures. 

Crassus. 
Some friends of mine, conservatives of course. 
Watching him vigorously strike at the root 
Of Italy's decadence, say to me : 
''Hot-headed, reckless fellow he, to further 
The best of causes by the worst of means." 

MaRCELIvUS. 

Yet my report is quite contrariwise : 

Many believe him mild and reasonable. 

And think his conduct thoroughly consistent. 

Being assured it is his honest wish 

To reach by peaceable means his worthy end; 

Only the tactics of opponents force him 

To break through fixed procedure. Summing it up: 

Tiberius is a genuine patriot 

Whose every act displays unselfishness. 

And all a dauntless, brave career betokens. 

CORNEUA. 

Your news, Marcellus, makes me proud, indeed. 

BivOSSius. 
Tiberius makes a serious mistake 
In resting on Roman generosity. 
He never should rely upon our townsmen. 
Since nobles give to them their daily bread. 
Yes, it has even so at last become, 
The great, at first protectors of the people. 
By lavish, indiscriminate bounty, now. 



130 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

Are masters of a horde of willing slaves, 

Of selfish clients, and of greedy citizens. 

The haughtiness of one and the other's meanness 

Killing republican equality. 

Claudius. 
'Tis that condition stirs Tiberius 
To thorough reformation, which alarms 
The public men of Rome. 

Crassus. 

Tiberius ' 

Can never hope his law will live a day 
Beyond his term of office ; since reforms 
When wrung from the actual rulers of the state 
Will never long survive. 

Claudius. 
But this reform 
Has life assured it, since commissioners 
Will see to it this new Sempronian law 
Is not evaded like the Licinian. 

{Enter, door in centre, Gilvcchus.) 

Gracchus. 
I left for you with Claudia my excuses, 
For unintended tardiness to-day. 
Fool's errand 'twas that drew me out of the house 
At so inopportune a moment, too. 
My friend had sent no message for me, none. 
And was I not well jostled on returning! 
And busy warding off a dozen blows 
From drunken men who overrun the streets. 

Claudia. 
You are not wounded? 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 131 

Gracchus. 

Not in the least, be sure. 

MaRCELIvUS. 

You do your own great cause as great a wrong, 
Yourself exposing to some casual blow 
That may prove mortal. Let me, after this. 
Accompany you upon such expeditions. 

Gracchus. 
Oh ! better still, shall not our worthy consul 
Loan me his sturdy lictors, six of them? 
Most heartfelt thanks, Marcellus, for the love 
Inspiring such devoted service, yet. 
What mean requital for such love sincere. 
To make a shield of my too generous friend ! 

Claudius. 
Friend, as you say, but still disciple, too. 
Dividing not the master from the work. 

Gracchus. 
My work is but to waken Rome to work. 
There's Italy to people if she will. 
With free and independent peasantry. 
Large farms for pasture ruin Italy, 
Tillage grows less, while Rome's recruiting field, 
Free population dwindles slowly down: 
Even now Sicilian and Sardinian corn 
Has driven out the Italian peasantry's. 
The state's most lamentable negligence 
In dealing justly with the public land 
Bred systematic, rank dishonesty 
Among our ruling classes, unto whom 
Public and private property were one ; 



132 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Fostered that spirit of cupidity, 

Rapacity, and violence combined, 

Which ever was the most pecuHar trait 

Of Roman nobles — selfish, haughty, cruel. 

Italian allies, Latin colonies. 

And friendly foreign states — all stand upon 

A dangerous, treacherous foundation; 

For should the opportunity permit 

The Roman nobles quickly would convert 

These independent peoples into slaves. 

A very real danger threats the state. 

From the autocratic power of the Senate, 

Tempted by nations, princes, kings, with bribes 

To pay them for good will and influence, 

Since arbiters of destiny are they. 

So must it be our unremitting care 

To keep our vulturous nobility 

From gorging on the fruits of victory. 

For year by year the Senate carries on 

Most bloody wars in Spain and Italy — 

Oppressive burdens for the common people. 

While to the nobles really mines of wealth. 

For soldiers fight, endure, and die 

To feed the wealth and luxury of others — ■ 

Nobles and moneylenders holding now 

The whole world's wealth within their greedy grasp. 

How can the old equality exist 

Between the very rich and the very poor? 

Look round upon our sad misgovernment : 

Our judges, even, tampering with justice. 

For reasons private or political. 

And what prevents a thorough renovation 

Of Rome's republic? Wanton callousness 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 133 

Parading under garb of law and order. 

Never in future ages be it said 

That "those benighted Romans knew no better," 

That "those outrageous, heartless deeds of theirs 

Were due unto the times in which they lived." 

Since you and I know better, why not they ? 

And here am I who tell them their offenses. 

(Bnier a servant, door in centre.) 

Servant. 
A man to cleanliness averse 
Is claiming that he found your purse. 

Gracchus. 
My purse (feels) . Hello ! I never knew 'twas gone ! 
(To MarceIvI^us.) Nor knew that knife thrust nearly 
carved me. 

(To Servant.) Well, 
Go take the purse and give him half it holds. 

Servant. 
He's proud and stubborn, if you please. 
And with his wilful self agrees 
To give the purse to you alone ; 
And you must come and claim your own. 
He will not by your friends be seen. 
Because his garb is poor and mean. 

Gracchus. 
Well! well! I'll humor an honest man. 



C1.AUDIA. 



No! no! 



Oh, do not go! 



Gracchus. 

'Twill take a moment only. 
(Bxit Gracchus^ door in centre,) 



134 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

CORNEUA. 

I fear my daughter is not well to-night. 

Claudia. {To Ci^audius.) 
I am not well, so father, humor me, 
Follow Tiberius for I greatly fear — 

Claudius. 
Claudia, come, be calm ; there's naught to fear — 
Tiberius will presently return. 

Marcellus. 
I am not ill, yet I am ill at ease ; 
And so my own misgivings and yours to quiet, 
ril follow him and see. 

{Exit Marcellus, door in centre.) 

Blossius. 

Infectious fear ! 
Cornelia. 
My son Tiberius has greatly chosen 
A road beset by danger, right and left, 
And forward moves upon it fearlessly. 
With soul serene, since duty beckons on. 

(Noises without, cries, and struggles.) 

Claudia. 
He's killed ! he's killed ! Did I not say so ? 

Cornelia. 

Hush! 
(Exeunt Claudius, Crassus and Blossius, door in 
centre. ) 
This tumult means no rash and vulgar quarrel 
Over a paltry purse. 

(Re-enter, door in centre, Crassus^ Claudius^ Blos- 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 135 

sius and Gracchus, bearing Marcei^lus, mor- 
tally wounded.) 

Cornelia. 
It is Tiberius, 
Carrying whom ? Marcellus — wounded ! 

Claudia. 

Oh! 
Cornelia. 
How happened this, my son? 

Gracchus. 

'Twas treachery ! 
For when I would reward an honest fellow 
He changed to hired assassin on the instant, 
And aimed at me a sudden murderous blow. 
Which brave Marcellus took upon himself. 

Claudia. 
Noble Marcellus ! what thanks are thine ! 
So great a debt we never can repay ! 

Marcellus. 
Never ! for presently I'll leave you all, 
Leave you forever — Rome, Tiberius, 
Lucretia, ah, Lucretia, farewell ! 

Gracchus. 
We shall not let you slip away so soon. 
For fortunately Corax lives at hand. 
The skilfullest in Rome ; he'll keep you here. 

Marcellus. 
There's one thing grieves me sore, Tiberius, 
There's yet so much to do, and I not here 
To shield your precious life from mortal blows. 



136 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Gracchus. 
You must not think of death, my noble friend, 
For Rome nor I can spare so great a soul. 
And they who planned this dastard act shall suffer, 
Be they the highest, haughtiest in Rome. 

MaRCELIvUS. 

The failure of the Senate's clumsy tool 

To take a life it needs must hate and fear. 

Will make your bitter enemy more keen ; 

And hireling after hireling will waylay you, 

Till bloody deed its bloody thought fulfills, 

{Pause.) But let the plotting senators beware! 

Over the foul wrong done Lucretia, 

Tarquin the Proud was banished, kingship ceased ; 

Over the foul wrong done Virginia, 

The great Decemviri was done for aye : 

Over a slain Tiberius Gracchus — 

The Senate shall — Tiberius — farewell ! 

(MarckIvLus falls back into the arms of Gracchus^ 
dying, as the scene closes in to) 

Act IV, Scene; 4; in 2. Street in Rome. (Same as Act 
I, Scene 2.) Entrance to lodging house, in cen- 
tre, with barber's to the right, and bookseller's 
to left. Enter Metrophanes and bookseller 
from bookseller^ s shop. 

B00KSEEI.ER. {Handing book.) 
Even a bookseller seldom sees 
As fine an Aristophanes. 
And tell Lucilius, I pray, 
I could have sold it thrice to-day; 
But as he had the better right, 
I slipped the volume out of sight. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. i37 

Mf,trophanes. 
Though that was very kind of you, 
'Twas but the proper thing to do. 
Since why for paltry crumbs should beg 
The goose that lays the golden Qgg? 

Bookseller. 
I see you're one of those who think 
That all who work for us with ink 
Are bees all busy storing honey, 
Which we can quickly change to money. 
I have a stock-room in the rear, ^ 

A walk through that would make it clear 
That out of every hundred bees 
There's but one Aristophanes. 

Metrophanes. 
Yet booksellers, how well they thrive, 
While authors scarce can keep alive — 
Unless rich friends relieve their plight. 

Bookseller. 
Now, there! I had forgotten quite 
That Ennius, as good as new, 
I had Lucilius in view. 
I know he wants a copy : w^ait ! 
(Going back.) I'm sure he never saw its mate. 

(Exit Bookseller into the shop.) 

Metrophanes. (Solus.) 
Just see what money can procure! 
Devotion tireless, perfect, pure. 
The best of friends will clean forget 
The things whereon your heart is set. 
But, if there's money to be made. 



138 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

A host will hasten to your aid. 

{Re-enter Booksei.IvER from shop zvith book.) 

Bookseller. 
I have it here : just show him this ; 
It's something he'd be loath to miss ; 
And tell him — no, I will not try, 
The book will tell him more than I. 
And for your trouble great or slight, 
Remember, I will make it right. 

(Bxit Bookseller into shop.) 

Metrophanes. (Solus.) 
Thus does he rope me in his plot ; 
A paid accomplice, am I not ? 
Nor do I seem to be averse 
To help him tap my master's purse. 

(Enter Lavinia, R. B.) 

Lavinia. 
What's this? what's this? More books to-day? 
Where will he store them all, I pray? 

Metrophanes. 
What's that? more rings and trinkets? Well, 
Where will she wear them all, pray tell ? 

Lavinia. 
Metrophanes, I must confess 
I never liked an errand less. 

Metrophanes. 
Oh, ho ! A surfeit comes at last ! 
So gems and jewels — 

Lavinia. 
Not too fast ! 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 139 



The reason why I am not glad, 
I never saw a bride so sad, 

Metrophanes. 
Ah ! feed me faster ! such a crumb 
Is but an aggravation — come ! 

Lavinia. 
At once, by Nasica's command, 
She gives Octavius her hand ; 
Her heart belongs unto the dead 
Marcellus, whom she wished to wed. 

Metrophanes. 
Marcellus dead, of course she's vexed; 
But there's Octavius coming next. 
Since marrying dead men can't be done, 
Be thankful there's a living one. 

Lavinia. 
'Twould suit some ladies, I suppose ; 
Lucretia, though, is not of those. 
With hollow cheek and drooping head, 
Perhaps Marcellus she may wed. 

Metrophanes. 
Now what strange creatures women are ! 
The same thing can both make and mar: 
Octavius makes one lady sad. 
And might make half a dozen glad. 
What Porciatus says is true — 

Lavinia. 
That crazy loon ! If you but knew 
The dreadful things he says of you ! 



140 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Metrophanes. 
What is it that he says of me ? 
You pique my curiosity. 

Lavinia. 
He says that Laura's time you waste ; 
Which shows in you the worst of taste. 

Metrophanes. 
Now that is quite the queerest whim ; 
For what is Laura's time to him ? 
And why to you such views express ? 
I'd like to know? 

Lavinia. 

ril let you guess. 

Metrophanes. 
I've guessed it ! Well, what fools we are ! 
But then all's fair in love and war ! 

Lavinia. 
'Tis true that Laura's time you spend — 
It's well to know one's bosom friend! 

Metrophanes. 
Well I don't know it, if I do ! 

Lavinia. 
To think that I've been keeping you 
So long from Laura, pardon me, 
And hurry off your friend to see. 

Metrophanes. 
Your errand's yet to do, I know, 
Else would I never let you go 
Till you admitted in the end 
That 'tis with you my time I spend. 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 141 

Lavinia. 
I've talked too long and must be gone, 
I'll think that over later on. 

{Exit Lavinia^ L. B.) 

Metrophanes. (Solus.) 
Poor Porciatus loves her too! 
And I proposed to help him through ! 
To help another to one's bride 
Would be a sort of suicide. 
My rival ! 'Tis an awkward case ! 
I cannot win with any grace: 
A runner in a toga wrapped, 
He is too greatly handicapped ! 

(Exit Metrophane:s R. B. Bnter Porciatus from 
lodging house.) 

Porciatus. ( Solus. ) 
This making money ! what's the good ? 
Unless enough for clothes and food. 
This greed for gold is hard to cure ; 
I will become a Cato, sure ! 
I gather money fast enough. 
Which one day death will rob me of ; 
Then who will profit of my strife? 
Since I have neither child nor wife. 
I would Lavinia's husband be. 
If she would take me seriously. 
I had a brother; could I know 
Which way fate led him years ago! 
Suppose I seek my native place 
And start therefrom his trail to trace? 
Alas ! alas ! this hound is old. 
The time far past, the scent is cold. 

(Re-enter Lavinia, L. £.) 



142 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS, 

Lavinia. (Solus.) 
There's Porciattis now to tease me : 
I'll slip away before he sees me. 

PoRCiATUs. (Aside.) 
My might-be heir. (Aloud.) Lavinia, stay! 
I hope I see you well to-day? 

Lavinia. 
Ah! that depends upon your sight. 

PORCIATUS. 

Ah ! then I hope I see aright. 

Lavinia. 
That hope is quickly gratified, 
I'm very well. 

PORCIATUS. 

If you'd decide 
To gratify my larger hope? 

Lavinia. 
Oh I that is quite beyond my scope. 
Apply to Mother Cybele, 
Your prayers have no effect on me. 

PORCIATUS. 

Sorry am I to say 'tis true, 
Cybele is more kind than you. 
You hardly can take time to speak — 
Oh, if I only were a Greek ! 
You'd stand and gossip all the day. 

Lavinia. 
Now that's a foolish thing to say : 
I know no Greek : why will you tease ? 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. I43 

PORCIATUS. 

What do you call Metrophanes? 

Lavinia. 
Oh ! he is only Greek in name ; 
For which his master is to blame, 
Who bought a little five-year-old, 
When he and his for debt were sold. 

PORCIATUS. 

For debt? — and did he tell you where? 

Lavinia. 
Up north in Italy — but there! 
Who gossips now, I'd like to know? 

{Exits Lavinia quickly R. E.) 

PoRCiATus. (Following.) 
Oh, wait a moment, do not go ! 

(Stops at side; then returns to centre.) 
(Solus.) A boy of five, and not a Greek ! 
Perhaps I shall not have to seek 
First up one country, down another, 
But find in Rome my long-lost brother ! 

(Music heard off L.) 

(Looking L.) A sad procession, all forlorn; 

The dead Marcellus, yonder borne, 

A foully murdered patriot; 

But that has ever been the lot 

Of those who serve their fellow-men — 

With bloodless weapons, tongue and pen. 

Had he been quick to maim and kill. 

Not only were he living still. 

But this sad funeral train I see 

A glad triumphant march would be. 



144 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

To succor life — at best a breath — 
Is surely crime well worthy death. 

{Enter, L. B.j a crier.) 

Crier. 
Junius Marcellus, Junius Marcellus is dead. 
Whoever will come to his funeral come ! Come now. 
For now is the time they are bearing him forth from his 
house. 

(Enter L. E. a hand of Hufe players, followed by the 
female mourners; next a company of mimes and 
dancers, the leader of zvhom was dressed up to 
resemble Marceli^us. Th( funeral procession 
crosses and exits R. E.) 

Scene closes. Draw off to 

Act IV, Scene 5. Full; a room in Nasica's house. En- 
ter Nasica and Virginia, centre door. 

Virginia. 
The way you rub your hands and snap your eyes, 
And caper like a boy just out of school, 
Tells me the kind of news I am to hear. 

Nasica. 
King Attains of Pergamum is dead. 

Virginia. 
No, that is not the news. 

Nasica. 
He has bequeathed 
His treasure, land and kingdom unto Rome. 

Virginia. 
Good news for Rome, but that's not yet the news. 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 145 

Nasica. 
Now certain senators will be deputed 
Administrators of the King's estate. 

Virginia. 
I now begin to see the news is good. 

Nasica. 
Yes, five administrators, five of us, 
The King's estate will give us five estates. 

Virginia. 
When will this feast on land and gold begin ? 

Nasica. 
To-morrow the Eudemus presents the will, 
And thereupon we carve the King's estate. 

Virginia. 
How came the King to will his kingdom so? 

Nasica. 
*Twas due to many causes : first the King 
Viewed Rome as an indulgent, powerful neighbor, 
Who graciously permitted him to rule ; 
And next he had conceived a deep dislike 
To Aristonicus, his natural son. 
And natural successor; last and best, 
Eudemus, the King's adviser, framed the will, 

Virginia. 
In your five wills you must remember him. 

Nasica. 
Trust us for that, as Eudemus will do. 
Now knowing all, give other things attention : 
Foremost of all, Lucretia's marriage comes. 
There's something ripe and ready to our hand : 



146 riBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

A splendid entertainment let it be, 

The like of which was never seen in Rome. 

Virginia. 
Lucretia causes many an anxious thought. 

Nasica. 
What! Is she ill? 

Virginia. 
Most ill in mind, since — since — 

Nasica. 
I understand; Marcellus — 

Virginia. 

Since he — died, 
She broods daylong, as though for you or me ; 
Not even her coming marriage can arouse her. 

Nasica. 
Suppose I reason with her? 

Virginia. 

Have not I ? 
Both in and out of season, uselessly. 

(Enter L. B. Lucretia, with bowed head, not seeing 
them. They observe her.) 

Lucretia. (Solus.) 
Another day divides us heart from heart. 
Another day in the outer darkness passed, 
To which we all are hastening fast or slow ; 
And nevermore, ah, nevermore for aye — 

(She sees her parents, stops and turns, and is re- 
tiring.) 

Nasica. 
Go not, Lucretia ! 



TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 147 

Virginia. 
Stay, my daughter. 

Nasica. (Offering Lucretia a string of pearls.) 

See! 
Are they not gorgeous ? Fit for a consul's bride. 

LUCRETIA. 

A bride ! (Drops the necklace. ) Oh, no ! No ! no ! 

Virginia. 

Lucretia ! 

Nasica. 
Is not the necklace worthy of a thank? 

Lucretia. 
The necklace — oh, it cannot wake my heart ! 

Virginia. 
You shame me greatly, daughter, sorrowing so 
For one no nearer than Marcellus was. 

Nasica. 
Rather upon Octavius you should dwell. 
And on the wedding finery for to-morrow. 

Lucretia. 
Oh ! must it be to-morrow ? 

Nasica. 

Yes, to-morrow. 
Twice for a whim you moved the marriage on ; 
Now for a whim of mine the day's to-morrow. 

Lucretia. 
It cannot be so soon! 

Nasica. 

To-morrow's eve. 



148 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

IvUCRETiA. {Aside.) 
It shall not be to-morrow ! shall not be ! 

(Enter servant, announcing Luscus, Mei^EIvI/US^ 
Mace^donicus and Pompeius.) 

Virginia. (To Lucretia.) 
Come, let us go ! 

Nasica. (To Lucretia.) 

Octavius comes to-day. 
(Exeunt R. E. Virginia a7td Lucretia. Enter 
Luscus, Metellus, Macedonicus and Pom- 
PEius, by centre door.) 
You look disturbed and harassed, gentlemen. 
Why who would dream King Attains is dead 
And that his will is even now in Rome! 

MeTELIvUS. 

We come to wake you from a dream of gold. 

Luscus. 
The feast prepared for us the rabble eats. 

Nasica. 
What is it ? Speak out plainly ! What's the news ? 
You tell me much and nothing. 

Macedonicus. (To Pompeius.) 

Tell him you. 

Pompeius. 
Your kinsman demagogue, Tiberius Gracchus, 
Tireless in mischief-making, has prepared 
Another of his anarchistic bills, 
To give unto the popular assembly 
Charge of the King's estate we have secured. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS, 149 

Nasica. 
What ! Is it possible ! It can't be done ! 
It is the Senate's province now as ever. 
What means this pestilent fellow ? 

POMPEIUS. 

Means he? Well, 
He would make his meaning marvellously clear: 
He would divide the treasure of the King 
Among his horde of wretched beggar clients, 
Living at ease on land once yours and mine ! 

Nasica. 
Oh! villain! traitor! thief! How recklessly 
He rushes on inexorable fate! 
Rome never bred so dangerous a man. 
Meanwhile we must delay this robber measure, 
Keep it from passing till his time expires — 
If foolish friends will help him live so long. 
Then will he be amenable to law ; 
Impeachment, condemnation, exile then ; 
The fit reward for baseness vile as his. 

{Servant ushers in Satureius, Ru^us, Rubrius and 
Annius^ centre door.) 
{Apart to Senators. ) Our chance comes to us, let us use 

it well: 
We'll bribe his friends and sap his strength thereby. 
{To Satureius and others.) Welcome, my friends, 

your presence solves for us 
The question of your coming here to-night ; 
Happy am I to greet you, knowing well 
You have taken time from your delightful task 
Of turning topsy-turvy rich and poor. 
Making Possessors of the naked mob, 



150 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

To visit such a dangerous man as I, 
Scipio Nasica, a Roman senator. 

SATURmUS. 

There are no bonds we will not gladly break 
To take the proffered hospitality 
Of one so worthy of esteem as you. 

RUBRIUS. 

His words we heartily endorse. 

Ru^us and Annius. 

We do. 

Nasica. 
Those words uplift in these degenerate days, 
When men delight in making enemies 
Of allies who together govern Rome 
Wisely and well. 

MeteIvI<us. {To Satureius and others.) 

The Senate looks to you. 
True patriots of independent mind, 
To save our ruling bodies from a breach 
Inevitable else. 

RUBRIUS. 

It ever grieves me 
To hear my headstrong colleague lash the Senate. 
Have I not done my best, yet uselessly, 
To turn the tide that bears us far apart 
And fast upon destruction? 

Nasica. 

He is right. 
For if this fury is not quickly quenched 
Where will beloved Rome be? Torn apart, 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 151 

A prey to eager enemies without 

Or worser one within — Dictator Gracchus! 

Our boasted cherished Hberties all gone ! 

Macedonicus. 
A true, sad, sorrowful picture, is it not? 

Nasica. 
Away with dark forebodings for a while. 
Knowing you all as men of sterling worth 
And strict integrity — 

Satureius. 

'Tis kind of you ! 

Nasica. 
I'd have you join an enterprise of ours, 
That promises for every seed of thought 
A hundredfold in coin. 

Satureius. 

'Tis more than kind. 

Nasica. 
Our paying problem's needful facts and figures 
Are yonder in my study: come and see. 
{Apart to Senators while going up.) How quickly do 
these hungry fishes bite ! 

vSatureius. {Apart to his friends.) 
Nasica needs assistance as you see. 
And he can no longer pay with daughters, 
He's found a way to make it worth our while. 

{Exeunt O nines, door in centre. Enter Lavinia, 
L. E.) 

Lavinia. {Solus.) 
I've often asked Metrophanes 



152 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

To tell me truly what he sees 

In Porciatus to attract — 

They seem like brothers, for a fact ! 

They love me, yet I could not make 

Them quarrel even for my sake ! 

But for my choosing love to gold, 

My fortune would be quickly told; 

Since Porciatus, the absurd, 

Would take me if I said the word. 

But that would suit me just the same , 

As if Octavius were his name 

And mine Lucretia. Since the day 

Marcellus went that fearful way, 

My mistress moves about the place 

With such a pitiful sad face, 

'Twould seem that since Marcellus died 

That she would never be a bride ; 

But on the morrow join the dead. 

Rather than rich Octavius wed. 

{Enter Lucre^tia, R. B., slowly. She is dressed 
handsomely. 

Lucre;tia. (Solus.) 
He said to-morrow — think of it ! to-morrow ! 
Ay, but to-morrow is not yet, not yet, 
Nor ever shall be ! (Sees Lawinia.) Ah, Lavinia! 
Why do you look so sorrowful to-day? 
Your handsome Greek, I hope he is not ill? 

Lavinia. 
He's not a sick man, if you please, 
Nor Greek, though called Metrophanes. 

Lucretia. 
He is too poor to marry you? 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 153 

Lavinia. 

Perhaps. 

LUCRETIA. 

I meant to — now it is too late — at least — 

{Takes oif bracelet.) I know you envy me this bauble — 

take it; 
And let it be a wedding gift from me, 
Whenever comes the happy day for you. 

Lavinia. 
Oh ! is it possible 'tis mine ! 
How can I take a gift so fine? 

LUCRETIA. 

By stretching out your hand unto me here ! 
The best of all good wishes with it goes ; 
And when you wear it in the days to come 
Think sometimes of the giver. 

Lavinia. 

That I shall! 
On your great gift I set much store. 
But on your best of wishes more ! 

LUCRETIA. 

Go now, I will not need you for a while ! 

{Exit Lavinia^ L. E.) 
(Solus.) She's happier with nothing, lucky girl. 
Than I could ever be again with all ! 

(Produces a bottle; holds it out and looks at it Hx- 
edly.) 
Within my grasp here waits me, wonderous thought! 
An infinite store of glad and sad to-morrows ; 
And in a moment I can make them mine. 
For I have willed that this most wonderful 



154 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

Machine must cease abruptly all its whir 

And stir and settle into silence now. 

And why give up? I know a medicine 

For sickness unto death like mine, and yet 

I will not take it; no, I want it not. 

This cruel loss of mine that would bring grief, 

Great grief were I to live to feel and bear. 

In time the keen edge of the pain wears off, 

The wound heals up and scarcely leaves a scar; 

So vigorous is nature — time is all. 

Yet this insidious antidote of time 

I'll spill it here and now ; and so evade 

The slow recovery certain from its use. 

See how the coward muscles shake the hand ! 

Yet brave men tremble in their earliest battle : 

{Drinks the contents.) There! it is done! All's over 

with me now ! 
And yet no flash of memory lit the past 
And gave a life-dream in that topmost moment: 
Only a taste of medicine in the mouth. 

{Enter Virginia, R. B., as she hastily conceals the 
empty phial.) 

Virginia. 
Now do you please me well, Lucretia: 
In proper dress to greet a coming bridegroom. 

Lucretia. 
It is, indeed, for him I am arrayed: 
And will I please him, think you? 

Virginia. 

Please him? — Aye! 
He'll be delighted, daughter; heretofore 
You've been so cold and apathetic to him, 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 155 

Had he not loved you dearly, spite of all, 
He'd been offended past forgiveness ! 
{Aside.) It is beyond belief! 'tis wonderful! 
From sadness unto gladness at a bound ! 

{Servant announces Octavius.) 

LucRETiA. {Aside.) 
Octavius here before I go ! No ! no ! 
{Aloud.) Dear mother, bid Octavius wait without, 
There's something I must say to you alone. 

Virginia. {Aside.) 
I cannot let this joyous spirit pass, 
Until Octavius feels the breath of it. 
{Aloud.) I'll hear it later. 

LuCRi^TIA. 

Ah ! it is too late ! 
{Enter Octavius, door in centre.) 
She knows not that she voices fate's decree. 

Octavius. 
Pray pardon my delay, Lucretia, 
Be my excuse the business of to-morrow. 

Lucretia. 
Why should we dwell forever on to-morrow ? 
Robbing to-day of all its rightful due 
For one we may not ever live to see. 

Octavius. 
Ay, true it may be when to-morrow lies 
Perhaps a month away ; but fortunate we, 
Wait only for Old Sol to end his sleep 
And upward leap to run his heavenly race 
Westward from dawn till dusk once more to-morrow. 



156 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS, 

LuCRE/riA. 

Is it not warm to-night? 

OCTAVIUS. 

It is — or is it ? 
For since you bid me think I cannot say, 
Being neither warm nor cold. 

LUCRETIA. 

No doubt, no doubt ! 
When one is cold, the weather's cold; and then, 
Being warm, 'tis warm. 

Virginia. (To Octavius.) 
Lucretia recalls 
Her early lessons in philosophy. 

LUCRETIA. 

One needs at times the calm philosopher. 
Else would he never earn his food and wages. 

Octavius. 
In time of sorrow, call upon him, yes ; 
But let him not disturb our day of joy — 
Think of to-morrow! 

Lucretia. 
Ay, indeed I do! 
It is my satisfaction, sole, supreme, 
The thought of that to-morrow. 

Virginia. (Apart to Octavius.) 

Hear you that? 

Octavius. 
It gives me joy to hear her. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 157 

LUCRETIA. 

Joy? — I know not: 
'Twill be at least no longer pain and sorrow ; 

And that itself — is — joy 

{Manner and speech disturbed.) 

Virginia. 

What ails my daughter '* 

OCTAVIUS. 

She must be ill. 

LUCRETIA. 

Oh, no ! No longer ill. 
I have been ill, it seems a long, long time ; 
But now I'm cured and will be well — to-morrow. 

{She staggers and would have fallen, but Octavius 
holds her up. In the struggle the bottle falls 
from her dress. Virginia picks it up.) 

Virginia. 

What's this? 

LUCRETIA. 

Oh, that's the cure-all, mother dear. 

Octavius. {To Virginia.) 
Not poison? 

Virginia. 

Yes ; bring Nasica at once ! 
(Exit Octavius, door in centre.) 
Oh, why were you so rash, Lucretia? 
You need not marry only whom you will ! 
What have you taken, tell me ? 

Lucretia. 
'Twas the drug 



158 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS, 

Our cousin Lydia drank (Virginia shrieks) and lived — 

and lived — 
How many minutes have I yet to live? 

{Enter Nasica and the others, door in centre,) 

Virginia. 
She's poisoned dead ! 

Nasica. 
With what ? What has she taken ? 
Send for the antidote ! 

Virginia. 

There's none! There's none! 

Nasica. 
What desperate deed is this, Lucretia? 

LUCRETIA. 

Go bring your hireling emissaries here, 
And charge them with these desperate deeds of theirs ; 
For when they murdered noble, brave Marcellus, 
They murdered one Lucretia — farewell ! 

(LucRE^TiA dies.) 

Curtain. 
End of Act 4 of Tiberius Gracchus. 

ACT V. (July, B. C, 132— A. U. C, 621. 
Scene i. Full. A room in the house of Tiberius Grac- 
chus. View of garden at the hack. Discover 
Claudia; her son, ten years old; her daughter, 
eight years old; and Licinia, Caius's wife. 

LiCINIA. 

I have not seen Tiberius to-day — 
Or has he left for the Temple ? 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS, 159 

Claudia. 
No, not yet; 
And I so dread this ominous day, 
I would he never started ! 

LiCINIA. 

What's the reason ? 

Claudia. 
Fear for the Hfe of this rash husband of mine. 

LiCINIA. 

Then what would happen mine, if he were here? 
You call Tiberius rash ; then please describe 
His brother Caius. 

Daughter. {To Son.) 

Must our father go? 

Son. (To Daughter.) 
Our father always goes where duty calls. 

Claudia. 
His duty is unto his family first ; 
It is their call all other calls should drown. 

(Bnter Cornelia, door in centre.) 

LiCINIA. 

Oh, how I wish that Caius were at hand. 
To help his brother in his hour of need ! 

Cornelia. 
Only nine years between these sons of mine, 
And yet a chasm sundering two careers ; 
Imperilling enterprises of to-day 
And those to be by Caius undertaken. 
If only their two forces could combine! 
Resistance, difficulties, dangers — all 



i6o TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Were overcome ; success were then assured, 

Since naught could bar their way to Rome's redemption. 

If failure come, this interval's the cause. 

Claudia. 
How can he ever hope to win success ? 
Look 'round in Rome and nowhere will you see 
An influential democratic party: 
And then the nobles, Rome's first families. 
Only a very few are friends of his. 

Cornelia. 
A spirit of revenge animates the Senate, 
Fastening upon some flaw in his procedure, 
Ferreting out some statute long unused. 
There is one thought alone disheartens me : 
While on the one hand all the evil spirit 
Himself has roused assails Tiberius, 
Upon the other, rise up no defenders 
Among the multitude he has befriended. 
Yet why upon Rome's populace rely ? 
For what care they who hold the public land. 
They neither want nor need it, since the rich 
Provide for some their daily sustenance. 
And the state gives corn unto the masses free — 
Since all the people want is bread and games ! 

{Enter Gracchus, door in centre.) 
The fateful day is here, Tiberius. 

Gracchus. 
For the sake of all I love — Italians, Romans — 
I wish the day were over and well done. 

Claudia. 
What fortune gave the soothsayers ? 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. i6i 

Gracchus. 

None whatever! 
The fowls we found indifferent as the gods, 
And came not from their cage to peck the food. 

CORNE^IylA. 

Thereat be not disheartened; I have known 
Such dumbness end in songs of exultation. 

CivAUDIA. 

Tiberius, why be a tribune twice? 

Gracchus. 
This is a crisis in the state of parties 
Which my election surely will resolve 
Into a thoroughgoing revolution 
Whose end will bring an end to the powers that be. 
But should I not be re-elected tribune, 
Ruin is waiting at the Temple door. 
The day my term is ended I forsee 
These enemies of mine will rush upon me, 
Trial and exile then will follow fast. 

Claudia. 
I know not how success is possible. 
With plebs and nobles joining hands against you. 

Gracchus. 
It is most true that Roman citizens, 
Through base, unworthy pride and selfishness, 
Refuse unto their brave Italian allies 
The well-earned rights of Roman citizens, 
I mean to win them over; purchase justice 
By advocating laws to suit the Romans, 
And then prevail upon them to relinquish 
Unjust, invidious privilege, and fill 
All Italy with Roman citizens. 



i62 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

CORNEUA. 

There's wisdom there : what will you offer them ? 

Gracchus. 
I would propose, if re-elected tribune, 
A shorter term of military service; 
The soldier's clothing given by the state ; 
And let the equestrian order fully share 
Judicial powers with the senators 
In ordinary causes. 

Claudia. 
Knowing this. 
Your enemies will scruple not to kill you. 

LiCINIA. 

Have you forgotten his friends and followers 
Who brought him home in triumph yesterday? 
Trust them to guard a life so precious to them. 

Cornelia. 
Nothing is ever done without a struggle. 
If not without, within. No fear have I 
Of what the outcome will be, though prepared 
For more ferocious clash than when two winds, 
Two contrary-minded winds, high up in air. 
On monstrous, shapeless, blue-black horses mounted. 
Ride furiously together, eye and ear 
With blinding flash and deafening roar assailed. 

Gracchus. 
I do not mean by force to be elected ; 
'Twould be an act of treason; only this: 
When force arrives it shall be met by force. 
Now for the Temple ! — where's my tablet gone ? 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 163 

ClyAUDIA. 

I know the very place you left it — wait ! 

(Bxit C1.AUDIA, R. B.) 

Cornelia. 
I would be angry with this fearsome wife, 
Had she the power to make her husband swerve 
A hair's breadth from the forward path of duty. 

Gracchus. 

Remember, mother, Claudia's cautious nature; 
Never could Claudia sit with you, my mother, 
On exaltation's solitary height; 
Hers not the soul to make supreme oblation: 
A loved one — greater sacrifice than self. 

{Re-enter CivAudia, R. B., in great agitation.) 

Claudia. 
Alas ! alas ! 

Gracchus. 
What is it? 

Claudia. 

Omen of ill ! 
There is a nest of serpents and their eggs 
Within your helmet housed ! 

LiCINIA. 

How horrid ! Ugh ! 

Gracchus. 
I wish these thrice unwelcome visitors 
Had chosen another day than this. But, there ! 
As for myself, it warns me to beware 
Of enemies of mine and Rome, as well. 
Whose deadly venom waits for me and mine, 



i64 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

As the fate of poor Marcellus testifies. 

With vigilance and courage we'll outwit 

These serpent senators and rescue Rome, 

In their despite. Come sister, wife, and mother, 

Send me forth now with words of love and cheer 

To spur me on my mission to fulfil: 

To crush the eggs and thus the serpents kill ! 

Close in to 

Act V, Scene 2; in 2. Street in Rome. Bntrance to 
basilica. Various nationalities come in and go 
out. Beggars are at the entrance. 
{Enter Porciatus and Metrophanes^ R. E.) 

PORCIATUS. 

Now that is how my life was spent; 
That's what a slave to Cato meant. 

Metrophanes. 
Well, Porciatus — 

Porciatus. 
Stop right there! 
That part of Cato's name I bear 
Because he owned me once, you see, 
And into freedom follows me. 
The name my mother called me by, 
Pedarius Medius Horcus, I 
Have dropped for years without design. 

Metrophanes. 
Your story much resembles mine: 
For once I had a brother, too. 
And where he went I never knew, 
I have not seen him since the day 
Our masters each took separate way. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 165 

PORCIATUS. 

Tell me your tale, Metrophanes. 

Metrophanes. 
My tale with yours again agrees, 
Metrophanes is not my name, 
'Tis Marcus that I rightly claim. 

PORCIATUS. 

Still run we neck to neck, for lo ! 
I called my little brother so ! 
Perhaps — 

Metrophane;s. 
What if— 

Porciatus. 

His master took your brother away ; 
What happened then? 

Me;trophane:s. 
He gave me — {Gets out purse.) 

Porciatus. 

I know it ! — no ! I will not guess. 

Metrophanes. 
This silver coin he bade me keep — 
'Tis with me if I wake or sleep. 

Porciatus. 
A coin! — and Marcus is your name! 
Quick ! {Seizes it.) Yes I it is the very same ! 
I'd know it 'mong a thousand other : 
This mark I made — my brother ! 



Recall the day 



Yes! 



i66 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Mi;trophanes. {Bmbracing Porciatus.) 

Brother. 

Porciatus. 
My little brother Marcus ! Well ! 
Now is explained that mystic spell, 
I knew you while I never knew. 

Metrophani^s. 
While I was likewise drawn to you. 

(Enter Lavinia^ R. E.) 

Porciatus. {Points at her.) 
Ah! thus in every mortal's lot: 
In the cup of joy's a bitter drop. 

Lavinia. 
If that is meant for me, old boy, 
I'll spoil not this queer cup of joy. 



{Turns to go oif.) 



Meh'rophanes. 
Lavinia, wait ! for don't you see. 
We've made a great discovery: 
We're brothers ! 

Lavinia. 
How so? 

Porciatus. 

Same mother is the usual way. 

Metrophanes. 
That pocket-piece to me he gave 
When sold to Cato for a slave. 



Let me say, 



TIBBRWS GRACCHUS. 167 

PORCIATUS. 

There's often discord comes of coins, 
But two lost brothers this one joins! 

Me;trophane;s. 
Are you not glad that this is so? 

Lavinia. 
It is so sudden, don't you know. 

PORCIATUS. 

You may be able to decide 
When I shall make you some one's bride. 
But first, come both of you with me. 
Till I arrange to set you free. 

Metrophanes. 
My generous brother ! 

Lavinia. 

None so kind. 

PoRCiATus. {To Metrophanes.) 
Be quick before I change my mind ; 
A wedding ere a week is done. 
Or I will furnish you with one. 

{Exeunt Omnes, L. B. Enter, R. E., Nasica, Pom- 
PEius, Luscus, Macedonicus, and Mk^eli^us 
on their way to the Temple of Fides.) 

Nasica. 
I have had grave fears for the fate of Rome, my friends ; 
We careless senators have done Rome wrong. 
Being with the actual ruling satisfied : 
And now behold our punishment and Rome's. 
For failing to restrict by letter of law 
The tribunes' dangerous authority. 



i68 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

POMPEIUS. 

This rash attempt Tiberius Gracchus makes 
To be succeeded by himself in office — 
It is illegal! 

Luscus. 

What of that to him ! 

Mace^)onicus. 
The deposition of Octavius 
Made way for other lawless acts of his. 

POMPEIUS. 

With one short story circulated well, 

I'll fill his path to office overfull 

With brambles, pitfalls, gnats, and curs 

To worry, tease and break his bones at last. 

Tell us the tale. 

POMPEIUS. 

It runs to this effect : 
That Eudemus of Pergamum, the same 
Who brought the will of Attains to Rome, 
Had given privately unto the tribune, 
Tiberius Gracchus, a diamond most rare, 
And from the household stuff of Attains, 
A kingly purple robe — sufficient proof 
That Gracchus means to make himself a King. 

Nasica. 
But why go further than his fixed resolve, 
To be continually elected tribune — 
'Twill come to mean dictator in the end. 

Mete^llus. 
He is indeed a dangerous demagogue. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 169 



And what he means to do if re-elected, 
Is simply horrid treason unto Rome. 

Nasica. 
Then stop his re-election. 



Macedonicus. 



That we shall ! 



Nasica. 
But if in spite of all he wins again, 
Then are we driven to our last resort : 
The augur's veto, not to be escaped 
Or overridden as Octavius was. 
We'll find an augur willing to proclaim 
The gods withhold consent unto his measure. 
This intercession differs, being divine. 
From that of magistrate or fellow tribune. 
These acts of legislation thus delayed 
Or rendered null by certain threatening signs 
Seen in the heavens, not to be evaded. 
Since only by the priest 'tis provable. 

(Exeunt O nines, L. E. Enter Crassus^ CiyAUDius 
and Sc^voivA, R. E. ) 

Sc^.voLA. {Points L.) 
Are those our fellow senators I see? 

Claudius. 
'Tis Nasica with trusty bodyguard. 

Crassus. 
I fear he's plotting mischief with his friends. 
How wreak his rage upon Tiberius. 

SC^VOLA. 

Whate'er his purpose may be, what care I ? 



170 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Persuasion shall not move me, neither threats, 
To let this hothead overrule the Senate. 

Claudius. 
It will require your full judicial powers 
To hold this frenzied orator in check. 

Sc.'^evoLA. 
I know it well, and fully am prepared. 

{Going off, when enter, R. B., Blossius and Ti- 
berius Gracchus.) 

Blossius. {Calling after them.) 
Good friends, why can we not accompany you? 
Though senators and tribunes be at strife, 
What need is there that Romans should be? 



Crassus. 

Claudius. 
'Tis a momentous day, Tiberius. 

Gracchus. 
None knows it better than I. 

SC^VOLA. 

Be temperate ! 
I warn you ! 

Gracchus. 
'Tis a day of warnings ; listen : 
The soothsayer failed me when the day began, 
His fowls refused to help him to predict ; 
A serpent couple, next, my helmet chose 
And went to keeping house with eggs and all; 
I stumbled on the threshold of my home, 
My left foot struck and broke the left toenail. 



None! 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 171 

Look at the bloody stain; and last, 

While coming hither crows to left were fighting, 

Pushed oil a tile that shattered at my feet. 

In face of such a gruesome, ominous list, 

Had I not better turn and tempt not fate? 

Blossius. 
Ah ! never yield to things inanimate ; 
These happenings of the day may help or hinder. 
But have no hidden meaning; yield not, then. 
Your valiant soul to vulgar prejudice. 

{Enter, L. £., Mummius) 

MUMMIUS. 

Happy am I to bring you words of cheer. 
Straight from the Temple of Jupiter I come, 
Where all goes on as well as we could wish. 

Gracchus. 
Thanks, Mummius, thanks ; the tiding heartens me : 
Your welcome words outweigh all omens of ill 
That menace me and would sweet hope benumb: 
You send me forth to meet all comers — come ! 

{Exeunt all hut Mummius, L. E. Enter Luciuus 
and FivACCUs, R. E.) 

Mummius. 
I thought that one of Nasica's good friends 
Had paid a visit with a dagger to you. 

FivACCUS. 

All in good time my time perhaps may come. 
Were I a tribune, though, Td travel armed. 

LuciLius. 
Will Tiberius win his fight? 
Are his prospects half-way bright ? 



172 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

MUMMIUS. 

At times I think he will, and then again, 
Remembering the power of gold, I pause ! 

Flaccus. 
And well you might, for gold is greater god 
Than any that the populace revere. 
Say you not so, Lucilius ? 

Luciuus. 

I dc. 
There's the triple temple that graces the hill. 
And the twenty more temples protecting from ill. 
These visible altars to gods out of sight 
Attest to our fear of their malice and might. 
And yet there's no god on the earth, in the air, 
In heaven, in hell, and the sea, to compare 
In power for good and for evil untold, 
To visible, tangible, actual gold ! 
Both goddess and god whom we serve without rest, 
At invisible altar upreared in the breast. 
The love of one's country the dull can inspire, 
And honor and power set cold blood afire ; 
The wife and the children, the timid make bold — 
But no love can stir like the passion for gold. 
'Tis the passion for gold can all scruples o'ercome ; 
Self-respect, right, and justice before it are dumb. 
This passion has made of the noble a slave. 
While it sharpens the wit of the simple and knave. 
The tongue, cunning key of the treasure-house thought, 
Releasing winged words which with wisdom are fraught. 
Behold ! it is now but a pander to gain. 
We list for its teaching of morals in vain. 
To the good things of life only wealth is the way, 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 173 

Since money is ruling with absolute sway. 

Now virtue is valueless; poverty, shame; 

And purity merely misanthropy's name. 

The freemen in Rome, who vast fortunes possess. 

They have a sure passport to social success. 

Since everything everywhere now has its price, 

And palace and villa make virtue a vice, 

No wonder come prayers out of poverty's ditch : 

''Oh ! to be rich ! to be rich ! to be rich !" 

(Bxeunt O nines L. B.) 
Scene closes. Draw off to 

Act V, Sce;ne: 3. Full. The Temple of Jupiter. The 
entrance to the temple in 2,d grooves. Discover 
a crowd of people in the temple and surrounding 
the door; added to by entrance of others R. and 
L. Candidates in white togas are going about 
shaking hands and asking for votes. Satu- 
REius, RuFus and Annius present.) 

Annius. 
'Tis said unworthy motives have inspired 
Our fellow tribune in his fierce attack 
Upon the Senate — partisanship and passion, 
Rather than public good and equity. 

Sature:ius. 
Although I much admire Tiberius, 
I must condemn this attitude of his : 
This strong antagonism toward the Senate. 

RuFus. 
'Tis sheerest crime and folly ; I, for one. 
Mean not to simply ruin my career 
By joining with the rabble led by Gracchus. 

{These three withdraw apart. Enter Flaccus and 

MUMMIUS.") 



174 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

Flaccus. 
Of all times possible to run for office 
Fate gives Tiberius to-day the worst. 
It is the grimmest satire of it all, 
For failure will be hatched, if failure come, 
Out of success : the great Sempronia law. 
This very land law robs him of his friends. 
His natural adherents gone from Rome, 
To till the land he wrested from the rich; 
Contented, busy in the homes he got them. 
Will they now quit the harvesting the crops 
To come to Rome beneath a summer sun 
To vote for Gracchus and his party? No! 

MUMMIUS. 

What think you of this law they would enforce 
Forbidding tribunes to succeed themselves? 

Fl^ACCUS. 

It has no less nor greater value than 
The land law which Tiberius resurrected. 
So his opponents' conduct makes me wroth; 
Unto one law's revival they object, 
And yet demand the other be restored ! 

MUMMIUS. 

There is the feel of battle in the air; 
We tribunes are preparing for a struggle ; 
How is it with you Senators? 

FlvACCUS. 

The same. 

MUMMIUS. 

Then, when the fast approaching crisis comes, 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 175 

May Jove with thunder and Hghtning interpose, 
And thus adjourn our two assemblies. 

Flaccus. 

Well, 
What happens on the morrow ? Jove again ? 
A better way than thunderstorms is this : 
Elect Tiberius Gracchus tribune, you ; 
While in the Senate 'twill my business be 
To keep its hands off, spite of Nasica. 

{Exit Flaccus, L. U. E. Enter, R. £., Luciuus; 
goes to MuMMius, who stands absorbed in 
thought.) 

Luciuus. 
Why, one would think you laden with the bulk of Ro- 
mans' care, 
To see the deep dejection of the countenance you wear. 

MUMMIUS. 

It is annoyance irritates me now. 
These arrogant new men, plebeians once. 
They have so newly scaled the social height, 
They've scarce recovered breath, yet none so proud! 

LUCII.IUS. 
Ultra-haughty, noble Roman, 
Poor plebeians' bitterest foeman: 
When I see him strutting proudly. 
Of his order boasting loudly. 
Arrogant and overbearing. 
With his scorn of plebs unsparing, 
''What !" I cry, ''is not this man sir. 
Grandson of that Syrian dancer ? 
Let me laugh, for was he not, sir, 
By Plebeian Smith begot, sir? 



176 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

With patricians now uniting, 
'Gainst plebeians ever fighting; 
He with vigor superhuman 
Beats off each besieging new man; 
Office, power, and all that is, sir, 
Only meant for him and his, sir !" 

MUMMIUS. 

I feel already better ! I suppose 

You've come to use the proud prerogative 

Of the Roman citizen, the ballot? 

LUCII.IUS. 
Yes, 
Wonderful ballot ! that came as a gift of the gods to the 

many, 
Groaning beneath the intolerable yoke of the tyrannous 

few: 
Making each voter however so humble a match unto any, 
Seeking by threat or by bribe their unscrupulous rule to 

renew. 
Wonderful ballot, no longer, our shield it is riven asun- 
der, 
Spite of it votes can be gotten securing the coveted prize : 
Naught can resist the ingenious knave seeking office for 

plunder : 
All that he does to get honors brings never the slightest 
disgrace. 

{Exeunt Luciuus and Mummius into the Temple. 
Enter Gracchus and Blossius, R. B., followed 
by citizens, cheering. Calls for Gracchus to 
speak. Gracchus takes position near the en- 
trance to the Temple.) 

Gracchus. 
My worthy fellow-citizens of Rome, 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 177 

In asking for your suffrages again 

I will forbear to dwell upon my doings, 

The good accomplished for the Roman people. 

'Tis not of what I have done I would speak. 

But of the things I will do — if you will ! 

For none should rest content with having done 

But press forever forward, doing, doing! 

Therefore that I may dedicate anew 

My utmost powers unto the Roman people, 

I ask to serve you once again as tribune. 

Let me enumerate some needful things 

That now stand waiting one of willing mind : 

And first this wonderful unique bequest 

Made by the dying Attains to Rome, 

His kingdom, Pergamum; a weighty charge, 

Fit only for the tribunes to assume, 

Dispose and manage ; all the ready money 

Found in the treasury of King Attains 

Should be bestowed upon the poor citizens ; 

And let the censors farm the land of the King, 

And be the rental shared among the people. 



A Voice. 



A good beginning! 



Gracchus. 
Next, the soldiers, come: 
Upon them rest security at home, 
Success abroad — they should be treated well: 
Beside their usual pay, let them receive 
Their clothing gratis, at the state's expense. 

Voices. 
Their clothing. So they should! 'Tis only right! 



178 TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

Gracchus. 
And fellow-soldiers, let me say a word 
Upon our term of military service: 
It is too long and ought to be diminished. 

VoiCE^s. 
He's right! He's level-headed! Yes, it should! 

Gracchus. 
Another measure let me advocate : 
To give the right of judging to the knights; 
For is it not a farce to try offenders 
Against the provinces by courts composed 
Of men with common views of law and morals, 
With interest in common with the accused? 

Voices. 
Another sword-thrust ! He's a master hand ! 

Gracchus. 

Among a dozen duties one there is 

Transcends the rest: to strengthen Rome. 

The ideal Roman state for which I strive 

Is one wherein the franchise would extend 

To all Italians south of the Rubicon 

And Macra ; while within the greater Rome 

To every adult citizen is granted 

Freedom of action in the largest measure. 

This Rome-to-be, the glorified and great, 

Awaits your will to make or mar to-day : For 'tis your all- 
compelling vote to-day 

Sends Rome to sure defeat, destruction, death ; 

Or forward on her proud, resistless way. 

Until the whole wide world is one stupendous Rome. 

{At the conclusion of Gracchus's speech voting he- 
gins. RuBRius is selected by lot to preside. 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. iy() 

The names of the candidates for the tribuneship 
were given out. Among the number was Ti- 
berius Gracchus. After two tribes had voted, 
the aristocrats declared the candidature of Ti- 
berius Gracchus to be illegal, because he could 
not hold office two years in succession. Ru- 
brius, the presiding tribune, hesitated to pro- 
ceed in face of the objection,) 

RUBRIUS. 

'Tis claimed Tiberius Gracchus cannot serve 
Successive terms of office; I refuse, 
Jn face of this objection, to proceed. 
Until his candidacy is withdrawn ! 

Carbo. 
There is no choice, receive the vote! 



Proceed. 



Stilo. 

RUBRIUS. 

A choice is left me to preside or no. 
And rather than receive them, I'll resign! 

MUMMIUS. 

This antiquated statute scares me not ; 
I offer to relieve you ; I'll preside ! 

Satureius. 
There's one thing Mummius must remember, though : 
Since we selected Rubrius by lot. 
By lot must his successor be selected. 

(An uproar follows, some calling on Rubrius to con^ 
tinue, others for Mummius.) 



i8o TIBBRIUS GRACCHUS. 

Rui^us. (7^0 crowd before Temple.) 
Know you that uproar's meaning, fellow Romans? 
It is Tiberius Gracchus, mad with pride, 
He would deprive the tribunes of their office. 

Voice;. 
Let him not dare to do so mad a thing. 

Annius. 
Ay ! but he says he shall a tribune be 
Without the people's votes. ' 

VoiCE^S. 
He never shall! 
He is a tyrant ! 

Annius. 
'Tis the Senate now 
Alone can save the Roman people's rights. 
I'll to the Temple Fides hurry on, 
Of Rome's great danger warn the Senators. 

{Exit Annius L. U. B. At this point the nobles' 
party is threatening Gracchus^ who touches his 
head to signify to those at a distance that his life 
was in danger.) 

Rui^us. (To crozvd about him.) 
Too late ! too late ! He's asking for a crown ! 

Voices. 
Down with him! Kill the traitor! 

Blossius. 

Oh, what fools ! 
To lose your wits at bark of demagogue, 
And run pell-mell in panic into bloodshed. 
Our grand republic Gracchus means to save ; 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. i8i 

He worships liberty and wants no crown. 

{Enter Fi^accus, L. E., quickly; presses his way 
through the crowd to Gracchus.) 

F1.ACCUS. 
Straight from the Senate's session come I, 
With utmost speed to say your Hfe's in danger. 
The high priest Nasica called upon Scsevola 
To save the state by striking Gracchus down. 
This fierce fanatic failed to move the consul 
To take the life of any citizen 
Unless by lawful process, after trial. 
Then Nasica becoming wild with rage, 
Accused the consul of betraying Rome, 
And as chief priest bade all to follow him, 
And by the force of arms maintain the law. 
I ran ahead to warn you that he comes 
With friends and slaves all armed and marching here, 
To kill you. 

Gracchus. 
Friends and fellow-citizens: 
The enemies of Rome surround you here, 
Refusing your inalienable right 
To register your will : we have been mild 
And very patient ; but the point is passed. 
The rich and nobles would still further go ! 
So be no longer passive ; Romans, hear : 
Let those who dare to fetter Roman freemen 
Be driven from this temple they pollute ! 

(With a great shout the fray begins. Enter, L. E., 
Nasica, leading on Metellus, Luscus, Mace;- 
DONicus, PoMPDius, and others, armed.) 



i82 TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 

Nasica. 
Who would the republic save, now follow me ! 

{Winds border of toga about his head.) 

Gracchus. 
Look ! He would hide his villany from the gods ! 

{The Senators wrested the clubs out of the hands of 
Gracchans, beat them and pursued them. Frag- 
ments of benches, sticks, clubs, and stones were 
used. Gracchus was surrounded at the door 
of the Temple, where he had stumbled over some 
fallen men, close by the statues of the kings. 
While endeavoring to rise, Satureius struck him 
a blow with the leg of a bench.) 

Gracchus. 
What ! has he bribed my friends to murder me ! 
Oh! Nasica will pay you well for that! 

(RuKus strikes him a blow while he lies prostrate.) 

Gracchus. 
Another traitor eager for his hire ! 

{Enter Claudius, Crassus, and Sc^vola L. E., as 
enter Cornelia, R. E.) 

Gracchus. 
Ah! mother! mother! 

Cornelia. 

Have they murdered you ? 

Gracchus. 
I fear they have succeeded — ah — but yet — 
Justice and right — my cause — they cannot kill! 

O, mother, bid my brother Caius — Caius 

{He falls back and dies.) 



TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 183 

Cornelia. {On knees with hand uplifted over the dead 

body of Gracchus.) 
Ungrateful Roman people ! fools and knaves ! 
For this day's monstrous deed be ever slaves ! 

Curtain to Act V. 

END OF TIBERIUS GRACCHUS. 



OCT 301905 



